Some Summer Insects

In addition to my camera, telephoto lens and tripod I also like to carry my Canon 100mm Macro lens with me in the summer in case I find any interesting insects.

Tailed Copper - Waldo Canyon - 7-12-2009

The Mueller butterfly and moth were in the same area by School Pond. I would like to have stayed longer to see what else was around but the strong smell of black bear made me want keep moving.

Hoary Comma - Mueller State Park - 8-2-2009

Ctenucha Venosa? Moth - Mueller State Park - 8-2-2009

Ctenucha Venosa? Moth - Mueller State Park - 8-2-2009

Aphrodite Fritillary - Ute Valley Park - 7-5-2009

This small flowering plant had 8-10 of these wasps on it. They look wicked but are not at all aggressive so I was taking pictures with my macro lens a few inches away. When I got home I did some research and found out that they probably have the most painful sting in North America. As adults they eat flowers and pollen. They kill tarantulas to provide a food source for their larval young.

Tarantula Hawk - Brush Hollow Reservoir - 7-18-2009

Robber Fly with prey - DeWeese Reservoir - 7-18-2009

Robber Fly with prey - DeWeese Reservoir - 7-18-2009

With their intensely white tail, this species of dragonfly is difficult to photograph in full sunlight. This particular dragonfly waited patiently while I took several photos, checking the over-exposure alert and using exposure compensation to adjust the exposure so that the tail wouldn't be over exposed.

White Tail Dragonfly male - Bonny Reservoir State Park - 8-8-2009 - Canon 400mm

White Tail Dragonfly female - Bonny Reservoir State Park - 8/8/2009 - Canon 400mm

Williamson's Sapsuckers

Earlier this month I photographed this pair of Williamson's Sapsuckers at Genessee Mountain Park west of Denver. The nest is in an area that gets a lot of foot traffic and the birds appear to have little fear of people. It is amazing how hard this pair was working to keep their chicks fed.

Williamson's Sapsucker male

Williamson's Sapsucker female

Ramah SWA

Saturday I drove out to Ramah State Wildlife Area to see if there was any water in Ramah Reservoir. With the unusual amount of rain that we have had here this summer I thought the reservoir might have recovered. It was still completely dry. It's strange that last year it was full and this year it is dry.

Not having any water really limits the wildlife so it was really quiet. I did find some Western Kingbirds feeding their young.

Western Kingbird feeding young

Western Kingbird (immature)

This Northern Mockingbird acted like it was part of the Western Kingbird family.

Northern Mockingbird

Reddish Egret at DeWeese Reservoir

Reddish Egret

It has been a great summer for rare birds visiting Colorado. Right on the heels of the Black Vulture comes a Reddish Egret to DeWeese Reservoir. This bird, first reported by Rich Miller on July 17th, will likly be the 9th or 10th reported in Colorado.

Black Vulture

Black Vultures rarely visit Colorado. For several days one has been staying at Castlewood Canyon State Park. The Turkey Vultures seem to love this place so it seems fitting that the Black Vulture would end up here.

Black Vulture

While waiting for the Black Vulture to make an appearance a few other attractive birds stopped by the parking area to get there photographs taken.

Young Bluebird

Lazuli Bunting

Lazuli Bunting

San Luis Hills

San Luis Hills

Last weekend I was in the San Luis Valley visiting my parents. We went over to the San Luis Hills to look for Black-throated and Sage Sparrows. We didn't have much luck with the sparrows but it was a good trip anyway. It is amazing how such a dry desert like environment can be so full of life.

The Green-tailed Towhee always seems to keep a stick between it and a photographer. Maybe someday I will get an unobstructed view.

Green-tailed Towhee

This place was crawling with insects. A little rain does wonders.

Three-banded Grasshopper

We also took a loop through the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. It was fairly quiet but it was fun watching the baby American Avocet chicks.

American Avocet chick

Lake Pueblo

Summer has arrived in Colorado and there are now few email alerts for rare and unusual birds to lure me off to the far corners of the state. So I head down to Lake Pueblo, not too far away and always has something to offer. About 30 feet from the parking lot I see a female Blue Grosbeak about 15 feet in front of me right out in the open. It's the best Blue Grosebeak photo op I have ever had. The only problem is that the camera is in the backpack, I chose comfort over being prepared. I slowly take off the backback and lower to the ground and the bird is still there. I unzip the bag and pick up the camera and the bird is still there. I mount the camera on the tripod with one eye on the bird. I slowly remove the lens cap, the bird appears to be waiting patiently as if it wants to have its picture taken. I slowly aim the camera and look through the viewfinder... the bird is gone. Oh well, it was only a female. I have seen Blue Grosbeaks twice in Colorado and they were both at this location.

Loggerhead Shrike

A short distance later I come upon a Loggerhead Shrike. This bird allows me to get really close without even trying.

On my way back to the car I see movement at my feet and notice a Lark Sparrow running away from me. It acts like both of its wings are broken. Once it gets about 30 feet away it flys up onto a Yucca and then acts completly normal. Is this behavior like the injured killdeer act? Was it trying to lure me away from its nest? Do Lark Sparrows nest on the ground?

It appeared to be a great day for Lizards but I only found this one.

Triploid Checkered Whiptail

Bee Assassin Bug