Wild Asters

After the morning shower
I went walking down the street.

Small stands of wild asters greeted me.
They were tucked here and there in my neighbors yards.

The morning was cloudy and cool.

The asters provided food for the hover flies,
honey bees

and skippers.
The little wild asters are charming.

Walkingstick and Hairstreaks

A Northern Walkingstick
came home with me today.
He found a comfortable resting spot on the mums.



I saw him in the grass by the roadway
when I was walking.
I was concerned he would be harmed.
I was thrilled to have him as a garden guest.



The asters are in bloom in the woods.
The Gray Hairstreaks were enjoying them.




The gray Hairstreak is the only Hairstreak
in my area, that opens their wings while at rest.



I am going back outside to spend some time with
Walkingstick.
It has been years since I have seen one.

Walking in Autumn

I was out running an errand this morning
and decided to stop and walk on my old walking trail
in Kenagy Park.



Whispering Tree was still standing tall.
Her oak leaves are just beginning to turn.

Orange Sulphurs drank dew drops off the grass

as did the Buckeyes

and Black Swallowtails.
Monarchs flew over head on their way south.
It was so fun to walk on my old path.
So fun to walk in Autumn.

Nature Center Walk

Before I met a friend for lunch I stopped at the
Nature Center.




I wanted to enjoy the prairie grasses.

I walked about.
The Viceroy butterfly was basking.



Skippers were feeding.

I wonder who made these prints?

To the woods

It was mid-afternoon before I was able to go walking.

Lots of butterflies and bees

but it was the wasps that grab my attention.

I looked for dragonflies and saw one damselfly.
Dragonfly days are coming to an end for this year.

The Monarchs have been to migrate.

Nature Center

I drove to the Nature Center to walk today.
I wanted to see what was in bloom in the natural landscape.




The Goldenrod is attracting bees and

wasps.

I am trying to identify a tall white blooming
wildflower I see near the highways and in the wild places.

There was some growing near the Nature Center too.
Still no idea what it is.
These large flower flies were enjoying the blooms.

Bugs!

It was a perfect September day.
The sky as blue as a Bluet.
I walked to the woods.

Lots of bugs flying about.

A male Red Saddlebags was patrolling.
I asked him to please land and let me get a photo.

He graciously complied.

I had never seen a Red Saddlebags before!
My Dragonfly life list is filling in.

Between Showers

The thundershowers left an inch of rain this morning.
When I saw a break in the clouds I put my walking shoes on.
It has been over a week since I was able to walk in the daytime.

The apple tree in my neighbor's yard is filled with ripening apples.
Many have fallen to the ground.
I see deer scat so I know the deer are having a nice treat.

The Osage Orange trees are full of fruit.
I call them Hedge Apples.

The Walnut trees are also full of fruit!
The nuts are ripening and some have already fallen to the ground.

The berries are turning bright orange.
I walked with long sleeves and a quick step.
A cold front has moved in and with it more showers.
Autumn is early.