Just Insects

 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).

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.

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!

Eurasian Drone Fly

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.

Ectemnius

That is it for now....

Wetland Walks and More Comets

 The last few days it seems that I have been keeping an eye open for insects.  There is a lot out there if one wants to get serious!

On Monday, I went down to Hillman Marsh for a long walk. A Limpkin could be lurking (or limping?) around for all anyone knows!  I found nothing special, but at least the sun was out during this time.

Heron types are always around.

Great Egret

Black-crowned Night-heron

Some insects:

Red Admiral

Least Skipper

Eastern Amberwing (male)

Eastern Amberwing (female)

Blue Dasher

Skimming Bluet

On the way home, I stopped by the bluff at the end of Zion Road, but did not have the luck I did last time.  One gets a spectacular view of the shoreline.

A road was here once!

The next day, I went to Mitchell's Bay first thing.  It is interesting to watch the lake, as Great Egrets keep going back and forth.  Difficult to say how many are out there.  One of these days, perhaps a Snowy Egret will show up.....(I did seen one many years ago!).

Lots of bluets along the trail of which most were Tule.

Orange Bluet

After this walk, I was at a loss where to go, but decided to give Wardsville Woods one more try.  Once again, very few odonates, let alone butterflies.  

Swamp Milkweed beetles

I caught sight of one clubtail (the ONLY one of this visit).  I have learned to take a quick record shot of things right away, and it was a good thing I did on this one.  Honestly, I did not know what species it was at the time, but I did realize it seemed different.  It took off in short order never to be seen again.

At home on the computer screen, I was shocked to see that it was a Riverine Clubtail!  A rare species for the area.  It was just last year that some were discovered here as a first for Middlesex County.

That made my day when it was difficult for finding much.

I then drove through Skunk's Misery.  Even though it was a perfect day, there were practically no butterflies.  Just as well the butterfly count was cancelled on Sunday (due to weather).  Numbers would have been extremely low in any event.

I continued on, and stopped by the boat launch at the old bridge site off Mosside Line.  This spot has been productive in the past, but water levels were high due to the crazy amount of rain.

Several Stream Bluets and some Blue-fronted Dancers were present.  Add a couple Blue-tipped to the mix.  A couple of clubtails went by, and also a Royal River Cruiser.

Blue-tipped Dancer

Shetland was not far down the road so I stopped there as well.  River was running very high, and practically no odes.  They must have drowned!  I did see one Blue-ringed Dancer among very few other things.

Before getting home, I went for a long walk at Reid CA.  Needless to say, not a single hairstreak.

Today, I wanted to get into Elgin County.  First stop was the Storey Wetland at John E. Pearce P.P.  Actually there were quite a few odes; common things of course. I have seen Comet Darner here in the past, but not today.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Viceroy

This Common Yellowthroat posed quite nicely for a photo at one point.  Obviously feeding fledglings.

Next stop was Fingal WMA.  I always go to the Ian Carmichael pond area.  Lots of Spot-winged Gliders were here, but difficult to photograph since they were on the wing.

LOL

Not far up the road is Southwold Earthworks which I always pay a visit.  Many years ago I had a bonanza of butterflies here, but little since!

One thing of note here, all the Beech trees are dead or dying.  Not a good sign.

Here is a photo of one from past years.

I noticed one Azure Bluet in the grass at one point.

Heading back west, I walked through Joe's Bush NW of New Glasgow.  Hooded and Pine Warblers are of note here.  They were singing, but remained unseen.

One more stop for the day was the old quarry at Clear Creek.  I did not spend a lot of time here, but saw the usual bluets or dancers.  Skimming Bluet was different from the last visit, but I messed up the photos.  As well, pretty sure I had Slender Bluet.

Violet Dancer

Comet Darners were flying, and I saw at least two.  Seems they are a bit early this year, or I am just getting lucky compared to the previous years.

Ojibway butterfly count is this Saturday, followed by Rondeau on Sunday.  I will likely skip Rondeau this year since the last few years there have been progressively fewer and fewer butterflies. Given circumstances this year, probably not worth my while!