Category Archives: insects

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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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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Spring Awakening

Posted on May 19, 2018 by

I went to a “Spring Awakening Bioblitz” event in Cordova Park, Marion County Iowa today.  With a three-hour timeframe, it was more of a wildflower walk than a formal bioblitz.  Still, it was quite pleasant to get together with a … Continue reading →

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Chasing Butterflies

Posted on April 29, 2018 by

We have had a late spring, although finally it has warmed up.  As of yesterday I had not seen a wild butterfly this year.  I wanted to change that.  I went to Waubonsee State Park yesterday, which is about a … Continue reading →

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Snow and Butterflies

Posted on March 24, 2018 by

Today we had the tenth annual Day of Insects at Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa.  It was a day of short presentations.  Yesterday we had some workshops and a meal.  As usual, it was mostly insects enthusiasts giving little overviews … Continue reading →

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More Bug Watching

Posted on October 2, 2017 by

Thistles are spectacular for their ability to attract butterflies and other pollinators.  When the thistles are at their peak, they attract not only the largest, most beautiful butterflies, but also the smaller skippers and bees, wasps, and flies of all … Continue reading →

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A Pleasant Morning

Posted on September 16, 2017 by

I went to an Iowa Prairie Network event today, at the Lomp Lengeling Farms near Collins, Iowa.  Parts of the farm, including a small but diverse prairie remnant and some degraded savanna are being managed in order to aid the … Continue reading →

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When Butterfly Photography is Easy

Posted on September 7, 2017 by

Butterfly photography is often a challenge.  It can be difficult to get close enough to an individual to get a good shot.  If you scare it away, it will be a while before you get close to another one. Not … Continue reading →

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Recent Activity.

Posted on August 29, 2017 by

As summer slips past some critters are at the peak of their activity.  I have been doing a lot of travelling, but have still been able to get a few photos in here and there. I saw this eastern tailed-blue … Continue reading →

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The Dance of Life

Posted on August 6, 2017 by

Butterflies have a little dance they do prior to mating (or sometimes prior to not mating).  It often includes shimmering, shaking, and flying around in circling chases.  I saw two silver-spotted skippers in the dance this morning. They started in … Continue reading →

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