Summer is Complete

Well my summer is complete with the photos of one special insect.

The Praying Mantis

Chinese Mantid ( Tenodera aridifolia sinesnsis)

The only ones common in the North are 2 introduced species: the European mantid, Mantis religiosa Linn. (pale green, about 2 inches), and the Chinese Mantid (3-4 Inches) The latter is rather widely distributed and the former is largely restricted to the eastern states. In the West, Litaneutria minor occurs all the way to British Columbia. 

I have been searching for one to photograph for many years and when I do find one I don't have my camera with me. Today I was in luck, but as I started to shoot I realized my battery was low and almost dead. I looked in my bag and my back up was no where to be found. So I shot as many images as I could before my battery went dead. If I would have had my back-up battery (it was on my desk) I would have stayed and followed it around the meadow as it searched for prey. 

Scratches, Smoke, Wasps

Been picking blackberries everyday...so my arms are all scratched up, but it is worth it. I was out taking photos near the pond this afternoon and got smoked out. A large prescribe burn was going on and the smoke was drifting over the pond. I did get the shots I wanted plus more. On my way home I stopped by the meadow and found some paper wasps that mad a nest under a milkweed leaf.

I also found a really beautiful wildflower...

Spotted Touch-Me-Not

Not only this wildflower, but the Indian Pipes were really thick. Found 56 flowers growing, but only a couple that were single. I don't mind photographing groups of them, but I like single ones better. 

Birds or No Birds

I was hoping to get some images of Cedar Waxwings feeding today, but it never happened.

People showed up to fish and scared them away....so I ended up photographing other subjects. Like this beautiful dragonfly.

Halloween Pennant - Celithemis eponina - Male

I also found this Black Spruce seedling growing out of a stump.

I am planing on going back as soon as the weekend is over and trying to photograph the waxwings again.

The Hills

After my visit with the doctor today I headed up to the hills. I hiked many miles and ate many berries.

Up and down the hills I hiked...stopping to eat blackberries of course. Been searching out locations for fall color and found some great places. Still a few months away, but you can see the change beginning. The last of the summer wildflowers are starting to fade.

I parked along this road

Deep in a valley

The Back Country

I spent a few hours today exploring some new places. I hiked through many woodland meadows and shaded hardwood forests. I seen many species of butterflies, birds, dragonflies and even caught a glimpse of a badger. Seen two white-tailed deer and one beautiful buck in velvet. The meadows I found were loaded with midsummer wildflowers and many species of butterflies. I was able to take many wonderful images today...even though it was bright and sunny out. I will be going back to these places this fall when the trees are in color.