I love watching birds when they are very focusd on their lunch. Clearly this Red-bellied Woodpecker found some bugs in this tree. I guess he is not vegan.
~ Rick
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©2019 ©2020 Rick Cartwright
This time of year the Common Buckeye Butterfly show up in Ohio. I have been trying to find one to photograph for a few weeks. I was beginning to think we may not see one.
Early this week, we were out for a walk on the bike trail in Piqua (It is formally called the Linear Park). We were hiking along The Great Miami River when Teresa spotted a butterfly that sure looked like a Buckeye. We did not have our larger cameras. I thought maybe I could capture a photo with my iPhone, but I could not get close enough. We saw so many of them .. it was frustrating that we could not capture a photo. It was a nice 4 mile hike, but no Buckeye photos. 🥵
A few days later, when the weather was good again, we went back to the same spot, this time with the appropriate gear. Teresa took the top photo, and I shot the second one. This is such a beautiful species. Look around ... they are here for a while, but not long. Share your photos!!
~ Rick
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©2019 ©2020 Rick Cartwright
This is a Painted Lady Butterfly. We saw her while on a Butterfly Walk with a naturalist from the Miami County Parks District.
Speaking of Butterfly walks, there is only one more official Butterfly Walk remaining for 2020. It is schedule for October 6 from 2p to 4p at Stillwater Prairie Reserve. Sign up here. We hope to see a few of our friends at this hike.
~ Rick
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This is a Red-footed Cannibalfly, a species of Robber flies. We don’t usually photograph flies, but this guy is unique.
I did a little reading about this crazy looking fly. This from Insectidentification.org:
[...] the Red-footed Cannibalfly is an aerial predator. It beats its long wings so quickly that an audible buzz is often the precursor to seeing it whiz by in a blur. This terrifying speed allows it to snatch other flying insects right out of the sky. Tremendous size and leg strength, coupled with a chemical-laced bite, allow it to easily subdue prey that may be larger than itself. The Red-footed Cannibalfliy can catch grasshoppers and other big insects, but it is more often seen with bees, wasps, and other flies in its possession. The bite injects quick-acting enzymes that help liquefy internal parts, making them easier to ingest. This carnivorous fly may be seen clinging to window screens, tree bark, or fences while it takes its meal. Between catches, the Red-footed Cannibalfly rests on a twig, branch, or other perch that allows it to visually scan the air for passersby. Once spotted, it zooms to its next meal. (Insectidentification.org)
“Aerial predator” ... I guess this is ‘Top Guy Fly’. I say a large, fast, and evil looking bug. 🤯
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The weather was perrfect for hiking, so on this day about three weeks ago we hiked to an overlook platform at Stillwater Prairie Reserve. I have never seen that much from this location, but on this day we saw a lot of wildlife. It was mostly birds and butterflies, but wow ... so much beauty. This Goldfinch was actively pollinating. Golden
~ Rick
Rick’s latest technology muse:
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©2019 ©2020 Rick Cartwright