More Insect Tours

 A stop at Reid C. L. this past Monday revealed some more of the usual species found there.

Dukes' Skipper

Broad-winged Skipper

Mourning Cloak

Great-spangled Fritillary

But, I did finally photograph a Mulberry Wing.

Looking closer, one can find tiny insects such as this Citrus Flatid Planthopper.

Hummingbird Clearwing moths are plentiful right now.  These chunky moths are quite unique.

Tuesday I headed up to Ipperwash.  It was not the best weather as it was cloudy most of the time, but I was anxious to get there.  I walked most of the Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales property owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Don't go there for birds!  There were hardly any.

I did see Shadow Darners, but unable to get photos.  I did come across a Fawn Darner at one point.

There were all kinds of little moths, some of which were Yellow-spotted Renia.

And a Darker Diacme moth.

Along the wetland area, I came across this pair of Emerald Spreadwings.

Highlight, was a Harvester!  I saw this thing fluttering around at one of the boardwalks and was unsure what it was.  Conveniently, it landed on my hand!

Heading back home, I stopped at my usual lunch break spot at Marthaville Habitat Management Area near Petrolia.  Always a good spot for dragonflies.

Slaty Skimmer

Calico Pennants

Widow Skimmer

Wednesday, it was back to Reid.  Weather was quite pleasant.

Lance-tipped Darners are appearing, as this one did.

A couple of Royal River Cruisers were warming up in the sun.

Another Hummingbird Clearwing posed nicely in the morning sun.

More butterflies...

Dukes'

Broad-winged

Red-spotted Purple

Thursday morning weather was perfect as I went for a walk at Mitchell's Bay.  This Shiny Bog Fly caught my eye at one point.  Apparently, it is an endangered species.

Today, I went farther afield and ended up at Fingal Wildlife Management Area. Walked around the Ian Carmichael pond area.

Wild Indigo Duskywing

Heading back west, I stopped at John E. Pearce PP.  Usually it is good for odonates, but there were not many.  I was hoping for Comet Darner, but perhaps they are not there anymore, as I have not seen them in a few years.

A few butterflies were along the way.

Great Spangled Fritillary

Continuing back west, I stopped at Joe's Bush NW of New Glasgow.  I had been there in a few years.  It is a nice wooded area with lots of mature trees.

One last stop was at the old quarry in Clear Creek Provincial nature reserve.  There were not as many odonates as usual, but a couple of Comet Darners were flying the pond.

The most interesting thing was a swarm of Cicada Killer Wasps.  Had to be close to 100 beside the pond!

Other than that, there was not much to photograph.  Hope things are better there on Sunday for the butterfly count!

More Running Around!

Friday I decided to go to Point Pelee.  As usual, I started at the Tip, but did not get there as early as in the past.  This time of year there are too many "tourists" that HAVE to go to the very Tip, oblivious of the birds they are scaring off. Luckily, I did have some time to myself at first.

A few Sanderlings were working the Tip, and eventually a Lesser Yellowlegs landed.  Eight more Lessers flew by towards Pelee Island.

I walked back west beach trail in hopes of seeing some insects.  Once again, very few.  One can only savour the memories of the "good ole days"!
I did see my FOY American Snout.

Wandering Glider

I decided to check out the marsh boardwalk before leaving. Black Terns had a good nesting year, as I counted over 60 birds.

Next stop was Hillman Marsh.  I walked around the shorebird cell looking for butterflies, which of course were scarce.  Checking one familiar spot, I came across about ten Broad-winged Skippers, which were FOY.

Some Common Painted-Lady were along the way.

I shuffled over to Blenheim Lagoons on the way home, but nothing of note was there.


Today, it was a toss-up, but I ended up in Elgin County.  I went as far as Port Stanley Lagoons.  Water is very high, so few shorebirds. Only two Lesser Yellowlegs and a Wilson's Snipe were seen besides Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper.  Wood Ducks were there by the dozens.

Heading back, I stopped by Southwold Earthworks, which I always check out while in the area.  A number of years ago I had all kinds of butterflies there, but it has been downhill ever since!  (Probably the big year of 2012).
Today was overcast and damp, so practically nothing.  I did find a Common Sootywing though.

Farther west, I checked out Joe's Bush on Silver Clay Line. 

Besides too many mosquitoes some notable birds included Pine Warblers and a Hooded Warbler.  The Hooded was a bit of a surprise.

Joe's Truck

My main goal today was to stop by the old quarry at Clear Creek Nature Reserve and look for Comet Darner. 

Last year, I discovered them there, so I knew they had to be out.  Sure enough upon arrival, I saw one.  I could only attempt flight shots, but made out fairly well.

Two in upper left

Eventually I saw two.  Comet Darners are rare but annual in various places in southern Ontario.  The bright red abdomen sticks out!

Comet and Calico

There were lots of dragonflies to look at here.  Calico Pennants are very common.

Skimmer with Twelve Spots

Blue Dasher

This afternoon I did a quick check of Reid and McKeough CA's.  Due to the heat I did not linger long.  I did see a couple of Dukes' Skippers at Reid and several Banded Hairstreaks.

A couple of Royal River Cruisers were patrolling as well.

At McKeough I was targeting Flag-tailed Spinyleg.  With the high water, there is no edge to the river this year where they like to perch.  I kept a keen eye as I walked along, but at the very end, I finally came across one!

Pronghorn Clubtails are regular here, but I have not yet seen one here this year.
By this time, the heat had done me in, so I went home!

By the way, National Moth Week is upon us.  I usually see only common stuff  in my travels.  Here are some from today.

Large Lace Border

Celery Looper

Spring Dead Leaf Roller

The above creature is very tiny.  It was on the back door today!