Camera Critters #221

Friday morning I went outside to check on my Hollyhocks.  It and sunflowers are about the only flowers I really enjoy.  As I looked at the hollyhocks, I noticed a rather strange sight. 

I saw a lot of little bugs on one of my hollyhocks.  Just under an eighth of an inch long, half their length was their nose.  Of course, the first thing I did was grab my camera and screw on my closeup lens.


After I photographed it, I identified it and found ways to remove it from my hollyhocks.  For those of you who don’t know, it is a Hollyhock Weevil.  I believe the one above is a male, as I saw several of the gray colored ones riding the backs of smaller, black weevils.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #220

One of the many critters I have been waiting to photograph is the dragonfly.

Although I have seen several dragonflies, until a couple of days ago, I wasn’t able to get a picture of any.  But a trip to Fireman’s Pond changed all that.

I first noticed several darners patrolling the area.  As I watched and hoped one would land so I could create an image of it, this Eight-spotted Skimmer flew by and landed about six feet in front of me.



Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #219

I have often received emails announcing the arrival of rare birds in our area.  Sometimes I am in a position to go ‘chase’ the bird and add it to my life list.  Most of the time I can only wish I could chase.

Well, earlier this month, I was watching a number of birds hop around the elm and pine trees next door.  Grabbing my camera, I began shooting. 

Most of the birds in the trees were common birds often seen in my area.  Those birds include Western Tanagers, Orange-crowned Warblers (I have never seen the crown), White-crowned Sparrows and a number of other species.

After taking more than 200 photos of the birds, I began looking at the variety.  One bird in particular confused me.  I knew it was in the flycatcher family, but just couldn’t nail down an identification.

So I sent it to an area expert and got back a identification.

Willow Flycatcher

The Willow Flycatcher is considered a rare bird for my area during the spring and summer.  In the fall, the bird is considered uncommon.  However, it is sometimes seen as it migrates through the area on its way to breeding grounds.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #218

The Two-tailed Swallowtail or if you prefer, Papilio multicaudata, is a common butterfly in this area.  They are very large butterflies with a wingspan about four inches.

I always try to get a photo of one when I see one.  A photo I took of a Two-tailed Swallowtail several years ago, was my first reference book published image.  You see it here.

When the “first seen” of the year arrived the other day, I had my camera ready.



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Camera Critters #217

About a week ago, I noticed something I hadn’t seen in at least six months.

It was a Western Tanager.  It’s one of my favorite birds and a beautiful one at that.



After all, who doesn’t like redheads?

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.