I went on a nature walk today, organized by the Iowa Prairie Network, at the property of Bill and Sibylla Brown. They have land in southern Iowa, and have done a lot of work to restore the biological function of the prairie and especially the savanna on their property. People who track biological diversity in Iowa have been amazed at the species they have documented. Many species of rare butterflies, rare fungi, and other creatures have been found on the property.
The flying insects stayed hidden early with the cool wet weather, but came out later when the sun came out. This is the common eastern bumblebee, Bombus impatiens.
This eastern tailed-blue was on a grassy path in the prairie.
There was a nice gray hairstreak on the rough blazing star.
This was a colorful syrphid fly. I don’t think I have seen this one before.
It was a pleasant morning. It is great to see people managing property for biological diversity.
The roused bear 