Recent Happenings

I was out and about this past weekend, but did not find anything special to photograph. I spent the better part of Saturday giving my boats some TLC after a long period of neglect.
On Sunday I went to Rondeau to check for butterflies and early fall migrants. The Yellow Warblers were plentiful, and some were likely migrants. Nothing else of note there.
At Blenheim Lagoons, I finally got to look at some shorebirds. Conditions were good, and I eventualy picked out a female Ruff. They seem to be fairly regular this time of year. I have seen at least four there over the years. The two others of this species I have seen were spring birds just outside of Wallaceburg in 2006, less than a week apart! A male showed up just north of town, then I found a female at another location near where I work. This bird is shown in the photo.

Today I stopped in at Reid CA and found a couple of Dukes' Skippers. Although I may have spotted one there last week, I was acting on a tip from a friend. I did not have my camera at that time, but I went back later with the camera, and of course could not find them! These are large dark skippers of sedge areas.

I looked at some of the Broad-winged Skippers as well. I found one worn Edwards Hairstreak. The hairstreaks are almost done for this year, as they are single-brooded.
An American Lady caught my eye on the mud as well.

More Giant Swallowtails are out, so another brood must have emerged. Monarchs are more plentiful as well.