07/27/2021-Common Wood-nymph

This was a fun pursuit. I visited an area in town called Brickyard.  It’s a fairly large meadow which is broken up in a few spots by trees and a small river.  As I walked a path around the meadow a butterfly zipped past and landed in the grasses about ten feet from me.  I couldn’t see exactly where so accepted that I couldn’t photograph it.  But a few minutes later I saw another and this time was able to pursue it into the tall dewy grasses. I got soaked but it was worth it.

Common Wood-nymph-Cercyonis pegala

Last year I purchased a Canon 2.0 Mark II teleconverter from a bird photographer who was switching systems.  Perfect condition for a good price.  I now mount it on my 180 macro which gives me great range for shooting butterflies, and other insects, from a non-threatening distance. Money well spent.

07.26.2021 Macro Monarch Monday

We’ve had lots of Monarch visitors in the yard flying around depositing eggs and there have been several larvae nibbling on the milkweeds. This was my first opportunity to capture one while nectaring.

We seem to be having a good year for larvae so I hope our yard is contributing to the increase or at least stasis. Next year I will build some raising cages to be sure the eggs and larvae reach maturity. I’ve always let nature take its course but am learning that the young have a fair number of predators. Ants, spiders, and wasps among others prey on them.

07.26.2021 B.O.A.S.-Green Heron Edition

Years ago when I participated in a forum, Naturescapes.Net, the favored bird portrait would be with one on the end of a stick (thus Bird on a Stick).  This is a somewhat different example of that although not with the clean background so many wish for. Yesterday’s Kingfisher was another.

This might be the same bird that visited the foggy tree I posted yesterday after the Kingfisher left. It landed for just a few seconds and then was off again flying in the direction of this small pond.  Kinda looks like it’s riding a water snake.

07.25.2021 Fisher in a Fog

I’ve tried and failed a few times to capture a shot of a Belted Kingfisher-Megaceryle alcyon while visiting the swamp. Since I do 99% of my shooting from a tripod they often fly off before I set up.  But yesterday this one settled on a branch in the fog and contemplated what it wanted to do next.

In Lightroom I opened up the shadows and boosted  clarity to see if I could discern the gender, then put the sliders back where they belonged once deciding it is a male.  Females have some ruddiness in the midsection and there did not appear to be that color although this view is from the rear.

07.25.2021 Silent Sunday-Full Buck Moonset over Foggy Holyoke Range

07.23.2021 Frog Friday XXXIV

Going through the search archives we are somewhere around the thirty fifth Frog Friday.  I might have missed one or two. But now a number is established.

This is one of the few bullfrogs I have photographed that is not “smiling”. It’s a young one, not a mark to be seen, and clear skin all over. And grumpy. The pad looks comfortable enough.

07.22.2021 Just hanging in there Thursday…almost the weekend.

07/21/2021 Wordless Wednesday-Summer Azure

Summer Azure-Celastrina neglecta

07.20.2021 Banded Longhorn Beetle

I am not sure what it is about Longhorn Beetles but I do enjoy them and hope you do too.

And, as an added bonus, this Gooseneck flower head has a double front and center.

07.19.21 Macro Monday…another little piece of Nature

Cabbage White- Pieris rapae on a garden geranium.  These are quite active and just when you think you are homed in on one it flies.  Fortunately this one was hungry.