Kip’s Comments - May 29, 2024
Fun Finds, Educational Finds, Nice Lighting Find
Fun Finds:
Early this morning, before work, I wandered our little prairie project looking for blossoms. So far there was just one blossom, but it was pretty and a hoverfly on the blossom added a nice touch.
Yellow Goatsbeard with Hoverfly - Image 886681
While in the patchy grass I heard a different bird call than normal. This was one I had heard before, but not yet this year. Along the fence row I spotted the source - a vocal vesper sparrow!
Vesper Sparrow - Image 886762
In another area of our yard - not the prairie - I noticed a “new to us” blue flower. A little research showed this to be blue flax.
Blue Flax - Image 886842
Educational Finds:
While working with a young fellow I heard another very vocal bird - a species I recognized but the other guy did not. Soon I was able to point out this male dickcissel calling to the other dickcissels in the section.
Male Dickcissel - Image 886848
As I cut the power to our project I opened the breaker box to a nest of ants. As soon as the door opened the ants began moving eggs to safety. I documented some of the once thriving ant commune.
Ants with Eggs - Image 886867
Nice Lighting Find:
Tonight I decided to paddle my canoe just for the sake of paddling - not to look for photos. Then I noticed this northern water snake in near perfect lighting and posing for me. Of course I shot some pictures of it. What a nice looking water snake picture!
Northern Water Snake - Image 886949
