Author Archives: the roused bear

About the roused bear

Nature photographer from central Iowa.

First Butterfly Photo of the Year

Posted on May 18, 2013

I got my first butterfly photo of the year today.  Here it is: It was a pretty underwhelming picture of a pearl crescent.  I have not seen pearl crescents this year until today, and they seem fairly thick now.  I … Continue reading →

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More Color

Image | Posted on May 17, 2013 | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Everything Gets More Colorful

Posted on May 16, 2013

I love the way the trees are getting flowers and the grass is getting greener.  Every thing is more colorful than it was a few weeks ago.  Even the bugs are more colorful. This small fly is probably a chironomid.

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Making More Buckeyes

Posted on May 15, 2013

The buckeye tree has an unusual flower arrangement.  The flowers aren’t too showy, and seem to be in a configuration that makes landing on them difficult for bees.  Yet they must have pretty good nectar and pollen rewards, because the … Continue reading →

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Flies and Peony Buds

Posted on May 14, 2013

Peony flower buds secrete a sugary fluid this time of year, and that fluid attracts a number of insects, especially flies and ants.  I have not heard an explanation that seems very likely to me.  I have been thinking about it and … Continue reading →

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A Face Full of Pollen

Posted on May 13, 2013

It’s easy to see why honeybees are such good pollinators from this dandelion photo. Last week I was out of state on a training trip.  The accommodations were really good, and the class and people in it were top notch.  Still, I felt out … Continue reading →

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Monkeys with Guns and Chimpanzees with Drums

Posted on May 12, 2013

Jane Goodall studied chimpanzees in the wild.  Chimpanzees are more closely related to humans than any other animal, and their behaviors are remarkably alike. Chimpanzees establish dominance by loud, noisy displays.  They scream and yell, throw rocks, drag branches, and … Continue reading →

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More on the Gun Culture

Posted on May 8, 2013

I lost my Dad slightly less than two years ago, and Mom died a few years before Dad.   They lived relatively long and, I guess you would have to say, full lives.  I loved my father very much, but there … Continue reading →

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The Gun Culture Needs to Go Away

Posted on May 7, 2013

The National Rifle Association is fighting a cultural war, according to its own leaders.  On one side are the Liberals, epitomized by President Obama, who want to take your guns away.   On the other side are all the right-thinking, God-fearing, … Continue reading →

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Springing Back

Posted on May 4, 2013

After our brief winter we had a cool (but not freezing) rainy day.  The snow did not do too much damage, and leaves are popping out.  I took some photos while there was still a light misty rain going on. … Continue reading →

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