Monthly Archives: June 2015

Mob Rule

Posted on June 29, 2015 by the roused bear

Yesterday I saw some ants on a gravel road.  I don’t know the species but I am guessing Formica obscuripes.  As near as I can tell a number of workers are holding down and killing another worker of the same … Continue reading →

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Today’s Bugs

Posted on June 27, 2015 by the roused bear

There was a lot of insect activity today.  Loads of butterflies, although nothing I haven’t already seen for the year.  Lots of odonates, also.  But along with the “good” bugs were a bunch I wasn’t so fond of.  Mosquitoes and … Continue reading →

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Photo of the Day

Posted on June 25, 2015 by the roused bear
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Butterflies from Unusual Perspectives

Posted on June 22, 2015 by the roused bear

We have had some hot, humid and stormy weather lately–weather that is great for butterflies.  Tonight after work I chased the butterflies for a little bit and ended up with a couple of photos from unusual perspectives. We had a … Continue reading →

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Syritta pipiens

Posted on June 20, 2015 by the roused bear

To celebrate the end of pollinator week, here is a photo of a small syrphid fly, Syritta pipiens. Just another pollinator.

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A Swarm of Something

Posted on June 19, 2015 by the roused bear

A swarm of some small insect–probably some small fly–formed a temporary lek in the sunlight. I am only an observer.  I have no observations beyond what you see.  Nor can I explain why I took the photo or posted it.

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Cottonwood

Posted on June 17, 2015 by the roused bear

Spend a warm summer day on a slow river or along a gravel road in Iowa and you will likely see little tufts of cottony threads floating through the air. These carry the tiny seeds of cottonwood trees.  Cottonwood trees … Continue reading →

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Flies are Pollinators, too

Posted on June 16, 2015 by the roused bear

This is national pollinator week.  Insects are getting some long-overdue conservation attention. I wish I could tell you what this is.  It is some kind of fly, possibly a dance fly.  Beyond that I don’t know. Hundreds or probably thousands … Continue reading →

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Rain and Butterflies

Posted on June 14, 2015 by the roused bear

When it rains in the spring you will not see butterflies.  Not so with summer rains.  I did not get outside this morning, but went out with my camera shortly after noon.  I had to change my plans soon, though, … Continue reading →

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Today’s butterflies

Posted on June 13, 2015 by the roused bear

Today was a good day for mosquitoes, but it also turned into a very good day for butterflies as well. Two or three cabbage whites were hanging around, and I chased this one for a while before it landed on … Continue reading →

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