Category Archives: butterflies

More Bugs

Posted on July 10, 2018 by

I spent a little bit of time yesterday at Big Creek State Park. This is a sand wasp, a Bembix species.  This was a very noisy, active wasp.  It was hard to photograph because it was so active. Another wasp–smaller, not … Continue reading →

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A Nice Summer Day

Posted on July 7, 2018 by

We had a really nice day today–warm but not too hot.  I took advantage and visited Big Creek Park near one of the backwater areas.  Swamp milkweed was in bloom and attracting lots of visitors. This unusual fly is common … Continue reading →

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Butterflies of the Interstate

Posted on June 26, 2018 by

In Iowa we have had some long-term efforts to manage roadsides with native prairie plants.  The Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa has been a leader in the effort. So if you go to the Huxley-Slater interchange … Continue reading →

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Another Attempt to find the Poweshiek Skipper

Posted on June 23, 2018 by

Oarisma poweshiek is a small butterfly that was discovered and first described from Grinnell, Iowa in 1870.  When the prairies were here it was probably quite common, although it only flies as an adult for about a week or two.  … Continue reading →

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A Really Short Parade

Posted on June 19, 2018 by
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Little Riddles of Nature

Posted on June 16, 2018 by

I went to Medora Prairie today, with a plan to photograph butterflies and any other type of critter I might find.  I walked out onto the prairie and saw that the butterfly milkweed was in bloom all over.  An eastern … Continue reading →

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A Few More Bugs

Posted on June 12, 2018 by

I went to Christiansen Forest Preserve tonight and wandered around with the camera.  I found a few cool looking insects. This plains clubtail was fairly active.  It spent some time in the short grass of the mowed path, but took … Continue reading →

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CIHA Fen (or is it Chia?)

Posted on June 9, 2018 by

The Iowa Native Plant Society had a wildflower walk at CIHA fen in Johnson County today.  The first thing we had to figure out was how to pronounce the name.  I am not sure we got the definitive answer, but … Continue reading →

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Searching for Something

Posted on June 7, 2018 by

I went to Christiansen Forest Preserve with my camera today.  It was humid and cloudy, and seemed ready to rain.  It seemed a little too cloudy for butterflies, but I was hoping that I find something that inspired me a … Continue reading →

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Critters from Yesterday and Today

Posted on June 3, 2018 by

I have been lucky enough to get out and chase butterflies and other critters this weekend.  Yesterday I went to Big Creek State Park in Polk County, Iowa and today I went to Medora Prairie in Warren County, Iowa. This … Continue reading →

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