Notes On Mid-Summer Meanderings

 I have been rather busy of late, but get out to various familiar haunts to search for anything of note.  Actually, there has not been anything of note!  Just the usual things.

Several visits to Reid Conservation Lands to look for insects revealed that Dukes' Skippers are doing well again this year.  Seems that they are in numbers a bit later this year.

Today, some were still quite fresh-looking, while others were showing late season wear.

The odd Broad-winged Skipper has popped up, but one day earlier this week I noticed one just hanging on a milkweed.  Turns out it was dead since an ambush bug found a tasty meal!

Another one was nearby, but it was alive!

Other butterflies, included more Silver-spotted Skippers and Eastern Giant Swallowtails after a lull in numbers.

The Eastern-tailed Blue is an attractive butterfly.

As well as Red-spotted Purple.

Red-spotted Purple

Appalachian Browns are just about done, but I came across a couple this week.

Peck's Skipper is usually common, but I have not seen many this year.  This one was working clover today at Reid.

Dragonflies are scarce, and I have seen a few Royal River Cruisers, but none want to stop to be photographed.  The odd Lance-tipped Darner has shown up.... a very large dragonfly.

While are smallest dragonfly here made an appearance.

Eastern Amberwing

A few 'bugs' in the garden at home have been taking advantage of the flowers, although not as many as in normal years.

Two-spotted Longhorn Bee

Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee

Transverse-banded Flower Fly

Monarch

I stopped by Keith McLean C. L. a couple of times in the last week, but it is no good for shorebirds this year.  Still waiting for a good heron.....

Common Ringlet

Common Thick-leg Fly

Also, a couple of trips to Blenheim Lagoons has just revealed the basic stuff.

As well, a couple of visits to Mitchell's Bay have been uneventful.  I keep trying though!

Great Egret

Caspian Tern

This morning, I decided to go for a walk at Hillman Marsh.  Viceroy was in big numbers.  There were over twenty just around the shorebird cell.

As well, Red-spotted Purple was numerous.

Anglewings have been scarce this year.  I only saw one Eastern Comma this morning.

Swallows are in big numbers everywhere right now, post breeding, getting ready to head south.  Purple Martins have done well.

Warblers from farther north are starting to pop up, but I have yet to find one!  Soon.....