outdoor photography

Rambur's Forktail This morning I decided to head out to Marl Bed Flats to see what birds and bugs I might find. I was pleased to see that the flats aren't nearly as dry as they were the last time I visited. There was standing water near the slough, and that was encouraging to me. I didn't see a lot of birds, but there were bugs everywhere. I saw several species of dragonflies and damselflies. The biggest treat was seeing two mating Rambur's Forktails. They didn't mind me getting close with my camera, so I got my first decent photos of a mated pair. Blue Dasher Blue Dasher Little Blue Dragonlet Eastern Amberwing I only photographed three butterflies: Little Yellow, Southern Skipperling, and Common/White Checkered Skipper. Little Yellow Little Yellow Southern Skipperling It was also fun to find a different species of bee fly (I think  Poecilanthrax lucifer )  and a new species of assassin bug (I think  Acanthocephala termin...

Scarlet Skimmer (m) This morning I dropped by Wirz Park to see what kinds of birds and bugs I might find before work. Last time I visited this park I saw several Scarlet Skimmers, which are one of the few (and possibly the only) invasive dragonfly species. My understanding is that they are native to Japan. But they are very pretty, and the males are so brilliantly red that I can pick them out against a green back ground, even with my red-green colorblindness. I was surprised to see several other species here too, including several Pin-tailed Pondhawks, which were new to me this far north.  Several of these dragonflies posed quite nicely for photos, so I thought I'd share them. I'm somewhat amazed that I've made two blog posts in a row with not a single bird or landscape photo. So weird. Scarlet Skimmer (f) Eastern Pondhawk (f) Pin-tailed Pondhawk Blue Dasher

Blue Dasher On April 6, I visited Spring Hammock Preserve. I go there frequently this time of year because it's a good place to get Prothonotary Warblers and Yellow-billed Cuckoos (found the former, not the latter). While walking the trails, though, I enjoyed seeing the dragonflies and other insects that were dancing in and out of the lit areas of the trail.  Most of the dragonflies were either Great Blue Skimmers or Blue Dashers (there may have been others that escaped my notice). Great Blue Skimmer There was also a very interesting bee working on some of the flowers in the shade. The wings of the bee look like they have blue iridescence. So far I've been completely unable to find the name of this bee. Should I get an update from Bug Guide, I'll update this post. Bee on Flower Bee on Flower

Purple Gallinule On April 8, I drove out to Orlando Wetlands Park, one of my favorite destinations in Orange County (second only to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive). I was not disappointed. I decided this year I would try to diversify my photography and make a special effort to photograph scenery, wildflowers and wildlife other than birds. Orlando Wetlands Park is a great place for this. Thee were lots of Prairie Irises blooming all over the park. Prairie Iris And a Blue Dasher dragonfly was also perched photogenically. This is to me a stunning male. Blue Dasher But I simply can't tear myself away from the birds entirely. There was so much there to photograph and enjoy. The only rarity was a group of three Stilt Sandpipers mixed in with a flock of Long-billed Dowitchers. Stilt Sandpipers with Long-billed Dowitchers The Purple Swamphen has left the park (or was removed?), but the Purple Gallinules are still abundant and as beautiful as ever. Purple Gall...