The Prairie Blazing Stars are starting to open. Some say this native wildflower resembles a fairy wand.
I think this Eastern Band-winged Meadowhawk just finds it a nice place to perch.
Enjoy!
~ Robin
Photos taken July 14, 2012
Picture blog of observations at Northwood Park in New Hope, MN. An 'inside the beltway' park.
Hello Robin, just got caught up reading your
ReplyDeleteblogs from the past couple of weeks. Have
really enjoyed the insect photography and I
believe I can help you with a couple of butter-
flies. The blog of July 14th has what I might
call a female E. Tiger Swallowtail. That is
because of the extensive amount of blue on the
hind wing-more than I've ever seen on a male.
On the blog for June 26th, you have a small
skipper. I'm quite certain this is a rather
common Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor).
You probably found it in the vicinity of a
nearby wetland (?). The Arogos Skipper is
actually quite rare in MN, being restricted
to mainly native prairie habitat. If you
need a field guide to butterflies, I highly
recommend "Butterflies of North America", a
Kaufman Focus Guide by Jim Brock and Kenn
Kaufman. Hope I have been of some help, now
keep up the great work and I will be enjoying!
Hap in New Hope (MN) too.
Thanks Hap! I thought that skipper was a bit too rare to be right. There are a number of native prairie wildflowers growing down there (no doubt seeded), so I let myself hope. ;)
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