The last couple of days I have mainly been looking at insects. Normal for this time of year!
Yesterday I was at McKeough and Reid CA. In the puddles at Reid, these long-legged flies were quite numerous. There are many look-alikes and are in the genus Dolichopodinae, according to the ID on iNaturalist. I saw them last year as well. Neat little things, but difficult to photograph.
Bluets included the countless numbers of Blue-fronted.
Skimming Bluet, which seems more common than I ever thought was present as well. Some Stream Bluets were doing their thing (not near a stream!).
The tiny Fragile Forktail is easy to miss.
And its slightly larger cousin, the Eastern Forktail.
I came across one Pronghorn Clubtail at Reid. They are more numerous at McKeough though.
Just before finishing my walk, I came across a female Slaty Skimmer. I did not clue in as to species at first, but after a year, one gets rusty! I think males are nicer though.
The Slaty's are not all that numerous around here.
This lacewing Chrysopa oculata (probably) caught my eye at one point.
Here is a female Common Whitetail.
There were not many butterflies, but European Skippers are quite plentiful right now.
Up at McKeough, I did not see much, but came across at least four Pronghorn Clubtails. This is a reliable place for them each year.
Today I headed to south Chatham-Kent, and into Elgin and Middlesex. I killed some time first thing at Keith McLean C. L. Some shorebirds are still moving north including the semi's (plover and sandpiper).
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| Semipalmated Sandpiper |
I then headed over to Clear Creek and checked out the old quarry. I was still a bit early in the day, so did not see much.
I saw some Azure Bluets.
One or two Violet Dancers were flying but for some reason, the camera did not want to focus!
Not sure what to do next, I just decided Wardsville Woods was the best option. It was good and warm by the time I arrived, but oddly there was not much in the way of odonates.
However, early on, a single clubtail made the day. I spotted a Riverine Clubtail--a rarity indeed!
It was only a couple of years ago these were discovered here, the furthest south record.
It was downhill from there, as I could not find many other odes. A couple of Midland Clubtails, and other common creatures.
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| Violet Dancer |
A few butterflies included an American Lady.
At home this afternoon, I looked at the garden. Plants are starting to flower, so insects are attracted. A couple of new ones for the yard list were tallied. However, they are European imports!
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| Eurasian Drone Fly |
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| Oblong Woolcarder Bee |
This one is native, but a member of the square-headed wasps. There are many look-alikes, so not sure on specific species. I saw it last year as well.
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| Ectemnius |
That is it for now....