An Exploration of Nature
A new “life butterfly” for me today, thanks to my wife who spotted it first: Euphydryas phaeton, aka the Baltimore Checkerspot. This butterfly was incredibly cooperative and allowed me to take as many pictures as I needed to get a good one.
I’ve posted photos of this fly in the past, but this is the first time I’ve captured the male & female together, and definitely the first time I have seen a mating event. The mating flies are still capable of flight, and I had to chase this pair across the grass to get the photograph.
Very little is known about the Golden-backed Snipe Fly. Entomologists are not certain about where they lay their eggs, how many molts the fly larvae pass through, or even what they prefer to eat.
Bringing food to the nest.
A group of Wood Ducks in formation over Bath Nature Preserve.
The name is not a misnomer; even though Spring is here this bird is still known as a “Winter Wren” no matter what time of year it is.
A pair of American Coots feeding on aquatic plants, as seen from the nature trail at Krabill Lodge / Chippewa Lake. American Coots are one of the most widespread aquatic birds in North America.
A song sparrow sings from the rusty remains of some old dredging equipment at Chippewa Inlet Trail.
A large group of Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, and Bufflehead fly from Lake Medina after a fishing boat got too close.
Cleveland Metroparks – West Creek was exploding with this grasshopper species on Saturday. Thousands were hopping on the trails, meadows, and parking areas.
It seems like I see more of this wildflower every year. Can’t say I mind, it’s very cheering.
