Early Morning Walk

It is to be 100 degrees this afternoon
so I went walking early.

The Bluets were sunning.

I am slowly learning my Dragonflies and my Damselflies.
I can identify the Bluets, a Pond Damselfly,
and the Jewelwings, Broad-winded Damsels.

This is a female Bluet Damselfly.

I have my Dragonfly field guide open.
I cannot find these two.
There is so much to learn!

River Walk

This morning we took a raccoon, that was in
our live animal trap, to the river.
We have released other raccoons in this wild protected area.

We watched a pair of Red Headed Woodpeckers

and a Mockingbird displayed his wings.

We walked near the river.
I was so glad to see a Buckeye butterfly!

Orange Sulphurs nectared on red clover.
It is very hot and humid.

Dragonfly Walk

I have an idea.
I would like to make friends with a Dragonfly.
A Dragonfly that would hang around and eat the mosquitoes that seem to
find me every time I venture forth.
Little Bee is still my best of bug friends but he doesn't eat mosquitoes.

I walked up to the woods hoping to see the Ebony Jewelwings.
I did not see them today.

I did see Damselflies.

and Darners.

A pair of Bluets were mating.

After the rain

When the rains stopped I put my walking shoes on.
I wanted to walk before the heat and humidity returned.
I walked up to the woods.

A Pearl Crescent was drying her wings.

A Eastern Tailed Blue was nectaring.

In a clearing I saw two deer.

It was dark in the woods so I used my flash.
The deer were startled.
The temperatures are to rise tomorrow.
I will be back walking at twilight.
Hope you are able to get out and walk.

A walk in the woods

My husband and I released the opossum
that was in the trap this morning.
We went on an impromptu hike in the woods.


By a stream we saw Broad-winged Damsels.
These Ebony Jewelwings are beautiful.
The males are iridescent green and
as the light sifts they turn iridescent blue.

Absolutely stunning.
They fly like butterflies.
They are exquisite!



As we hiked I took pictures of butterflies and wildflowers.

The Banded Hairstreak is small, only an inch wing tip to wing tip.

I am smitten with the Broad-winged Damsels.
My book says there are 8 species in North America.
The Ebony Jewelwings are a large damselfly, 2 inches from head to tail.
The black satiny wings and the iridescent body make this damselfly unforgettable.
I want to go back and sit with the Jewelwings.
Perhaps I could invite a pair to come home to my backyard!

Snowberry Clearwing

On the way home today I stopped at the Nature Center.
I was hoping the wild Bee Balm would be in bloom.

Some that grows in full sun was in bloom.

It was covered in Snowberry Clearwings and Bumble Bees.

I know the swallowtail butterflies also like Bee Balm.

I have a small stand of Bee Balm in my backyard.
It is in bud.
I can hardly wait for mine to bloom.

Meadow walk

We took a walk in the meadow.
I was looking for butterflies.



The teasel will bloom in July.

Indigo Buntings found bugs

and Dragonflies patrolled.

Columns of cumulus clouds filled the sky.
I did not see any butterflies today.
Maybe tomorrow.