The Beat Goes On

 Summer that is.  The summer is quickly moving along, so we must take advantage of every day.  We have had a good string of nice weather lately!

Monday morning was a bit hazy as I headed out to the St. Clair River.  I sat for a while at Seager Park.  Not as many birds there as the last time, but it was a beautiful morning just to relax.

barge Presquile and tug

Before getting home, I stopped for a walk at Peers Wetland.  As per usual this summer, there were few insects along the way.

Eastern Calligraphers along the 'west' side

Tuesday morning was a good time for a walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  Royal River Cruisers were in numbers for a change, and even co-operative for photos.

Dukes' Skippers were doing their usual thing before they soon disappear for another year.

At least they had another good year.

Yesterday I had time about mid-day to check out the Shetland CA boat launch, a usual spot for good odonates.

Well, there was hardly anything!  I guess it was no surprise since that has been the case everywhere all summer.

However, I did manage to find one of the specialties, and ONLY one.

Blue-ringed Dancer

There was a single Violet Dancer.

Some Stream Bluets were present as usual, but I only got some unorthodox photos.

The only large dragonfly I saw was a single Black-shouldered Spinyleg.  

Weird that there were absolutely no other large dragonflies present during my hour-long stay.

However, something made up for it.  Along the edge I caught sight of a small skipper.  It was a Zabulon!

What are the chances of one finding this rare skipper at this location?  I seem to have done better than anyone else in finding these things both this summer and last!  Maybe they follow me around.

As with most visits here, Blackstripe Topminnows, an endangered species, were at the launch.

That was my event for the day, as I was hosting relatives later in the day and into Thursday morning.

After they left at noon today, I headed out, first stopping at Reid for a short walk.  Hardly anything to see!

I then decided to check out Moore WMA since I had not been there since earlier in June. Just as well, as the place is entirely overgrown.  I had to bushwack my way to the river causeway.  That will be the last time this year!  There were hardly any odonates anyway, as expected.

I did find one Blue-tipped Dancer.

Absolutely no dragonflies seen.  What's new?

A couple of "eastern" butterflies were around though.

Eastern Giant Swallowtail

Eastern Tailed-Blue

I did look at mussels while there, but nothing in the notable department.  Just the usuals.

White Heelsplitter

     Mapleleaf

Fragile Papershell

That is it for now....