Just outside the lion den at Lincoln Park’s Zoo was this scary creature. Nature’s addition to the zoo’s Fall Festival of creepy things! Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Good-morning stretch before naptime. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Insects and Arachnids
Sun-ny flowers…
Dingy beauty…
An oxymoron it seems; but someone chose its name, Dingy-flowered Star Orchid (Epidendrum amphistomum). Orchids are never “dingy”. But this is this dear Orchid’s name.
The Dingy-flowered Star Orchid is considered an endangered native of Florida.
Tiny Orchid blooms have visitors. This flower has no nectar but it’s aroma attracts moths (not shown here) for pollination. Copyright 2018, Pamela Breitberg
Overall view of the Dingy-flowered Star Orchid. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Taking a break…
Blue Dasher Dragonfly resting. It’s vorasious appetite keeps it hunting by any water. This bright blue beauty consumes it’s weight in insects daily, helping control mosquito population. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Does it appear to have four eyes? Macro image. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
For more information check out: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_dasher.
Prairie homeland…
Looking back to the more colorful days of late summer, early autumn.
Hardy, perennial prairie plants gradually go dormant, resting until next springs longer, warmer days. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg
Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) amongst prairie diversity. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Purple Aster, a dependable sign of the end of Summer. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg
Sweet is in the eyes of the beholder…
Here are a few different views of downtown Chicago, this time from South Pond in Lincoln Park. The naturalized prairie grasses are prominent in the scene. After a leisurely walk through the park we lunched at the delicious Café Brauer; this time dining was a bit of a challenge. This time of year, worker bees are instinctively anxious to gather as much energy (sugar/nectar) and protein (pollen) as possible to store for the coming winter months. So, as my eyes admired the sweet view from our table, they were eyeing my lunch. And typical of me, I watched with love and allowed them to feast in between my bites and sips.
Warning: If you aren’t fond of bees then don’t look at last two images!
View of downtown Chicago and South Pond in Lincoln Park. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
View of South Pond and Chicago from Cafe Brauer. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Worker bee gathering sweetness from my jam. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Wine and cocktails were not off limits for the bees, much to the dismay of the diners. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
For more on bee behavior during the autumn:
https://phys.org/news/2012-10-bees-wasps-busy-autumn.html
Painted lady…
Welcome back to the World…
The Butterfly World in Coconut Creek Florida seems like a world to itself. Today I am sharing a few images from last winter’s visit. They reopened today: https://www.butterflyworld.com/hurricane-closure-and-preparation/, and will release the butterflies and finches back into their outdoor habitats. There was no damage to the facilities by Irma.
A resting Clipper butterfly. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg.
Rain drenched stills butterflies; they are unable to fly with wet wings. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Macro image of butterfly among the flora. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
White Morpho butterfly. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg.
Thoas Swallowtail feeding on bananas in a dish. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg. I am unsure why its “tails” seem to be missing.
Dangerously cute…
Cute but with powerful built-in defenses. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg.
While we walked through Starved Rock State Park we came across this oh, so cute caterpillar. It was moving rapidly down the length of a rail making it a challenge to photograph. This is when I’m grateful for digital imagery; I can take multiple images in hopes of a few “good” ones and the cost is no obstacle as it was in the days of using film.
Fortunately, I did not choose to hold this fuzzy fellow. It was the larva of the American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana). If I’d known the name I would have thought twice about its cuddly appearance. The decorative black spikes are its defense containing a poisonous liquid that quickly causes irritation and swelling when it touches one’s skin. So, if you see this fellow, look but don’t touch!
On closer inspection…
The Winged Loosestrife’s (Lythrum alatum) vibrant color stood out on the cliff’s wall across from our descending path to Wild Cat Canyon in Starved Rock State Park. Only later when I was home and reviewing these images did I realize the plant was a resting spot for this winged insect. Such is the joy of photography. My eyes often miss seeing all the subjects in my compositions. Sometimes what I capture is distracting to my desired focus (unwanted elements in the background). This added subject was a wonderful surprise.
My initial thought was that this insect was a dragonfly or damselfly. But those insects have two pairs of wings. I am guessing that this is some variety of Crane Fly (Tipula) instead. The other joy of nature photography is that I am always learning!
I zoomed in to get the original picture (bottom image) and found a new and more interesting composition when I zoomed in still closer (first image).
Posing nicely for my picture. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
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Longer view of this Loosestrife and Crane Fly scene, to show more of the habitat. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
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