Once in a Lifetime

I saw my first non-migrant dragonflies of the year on May 10th at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve. This is early, though not quite as early as the warm spring had led me to hope. Emergence may only be a week or so ahead of schedule.

I only saw one of these Spiny Baskettails, but luckily he perched long enough for me to get this photo.

( Three more photos )

Last week Pamela and I went to Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, near the City of St. Michael. Odonate activity was minimal -- a few Eastern Forktail damselflies and a patrolling Green Darner or two -- but the lakeside was covered with Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies sucking up nutrients from the mud. Most of them were too wary to let me get close, but this one was very intent on licking its pebble.

( Another butterfly photo, plus a spider )

I'm terrible at identifying trees and shrubs even when they're fully leafed out, but from the red stems, I guess this is Siberian Dogwood.

( 12 more photos )

( Read more... )