Unprecedented numbers of Painted Lady butterflies fluttered about in fields of goldenrods and asters this month. They were everywhere, sometimes two to a flower cluster, presenting ample opportunities for environmental portraits. On more than one occasion they actually photo bombed a monarch shoot!
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
Warm sunny days are fueling carpets of wildflowers in abandoned fields. Nectaring butterflies – monarchs, painted ladys and others – complete the scene as they dart, flutter and glide about in a continuous and purposeful manner. It all seems right. And September is a wonderful time of year to be alive.
Photos by NB Hunter (September, 2017). © All Rights Reserved.
Non-consumptive recreation activities associated with white-tailed deer peak in late summer and early fall. Deer feed continuously and are often visible in good light. Fully developed antlers are on full display, more visible than ever while still covered in velvet. Regardless of your recreation choices – binoculars, conventional cameras, motion-detecting trail cameras, or simply viewing for pleasure – it is the best time of year to observe, appreciate and learn about these magnificent members of the deer family.
PS: These deer are in various stage of molting, a process that insures thermoregulation, and some camouflage as well, through the seasons. The thin, reddish-brown summer coat is giving way to a thick, dark winter coat that features hollow hair and a thick underfur.
Photos by NB Hunter (August 30 – September 16, 2017). © All Rights Reserved.
“Green” in the natural world is an incredibly complex and challenging topic but this beautiful post does it justice! Thanks to Exploring Colour for the post and opportunity to contribute!
This green-themed photo collection has been slowly coming together for a while now. I’ve found more photos over the last few days and its great to be able to publish at last! Thank you to contributing photographers! All images used with permission.
The collection starts with clambering out of green goo…
“One minute it’s a green goo, the next something climbs out.” Taken by Ted Jennings (South Carolina Lowcountry, USA)
[To view a large-size version click HERE]
From: Out Of The Goo, An Alligator | August 10, 2017
Blog: TPJphoto.net
Algae like a green snake. Taken July 25th by Steven Schwartzman (Austin, Texas, USA)
[Click on the photo to view large-size version]
From: Like a green snake in the water | Sept 15, 2017
Blog: Portraits of Wildflowers
“The green frogs (tree frogs) are one of [my] favourite animals in the garden – almost a pet!” –…
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I don’t look up as often as I should. Yesterday, in the midst of whacking away at multiflora rose invading my trail right-of-way, I received a call from a friend: “Where are you?” half mile from the house, clearing trail, trying to avoid hornets. “Do you have your camera with you?” of course, in a fanny pack. “Look up – you can thank me later!”.
Minutes later, the entire scene was gone. I never got to where I needed to be, in order to do what I wanted to do. Love the way mother nature presents and teases with these fleeting spectacles.
Photos by NB Hunter (9/13/2017). © All Rights Reserved.
In recent days the life cycle of monarch butterflies has unfolded before my eyes. My post on late summer white-tails will have to wait.
Monarch caterpillars are feasting on the leaves of milkweed, with several sizes or instars visible. This one is actually on a milkweed pod, in search of a fresh leaf to chew on.
After feeding, growing and molting for about 2 weeks, the mature caterpillars pupate. This chrysalis was discovered in a large patch of milkweed plants at the edge of a field.
The pupal stage may last another 2 weeks, but it’s worth the wait. The emergence of the last generation of monarchs in late summer is a defining moment. Their field trip to wintering grounds in Mexico is a miracle.
Monarchs fluttering over fields of goldenrods bring fitting closure to the wildflower season and offer a heart-warming prelude to autumn colors on the horizon.
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
Sometimes I have to walk away from the common challenges of wildlife photography, subjects like deer feeding in fading light, butterflies darting erratically across a meadow, tiny birds searching for berries in dense undergrowth, an eagle soaring in the clouds.
Turtles loafing in the warm afternoon sun on late summer days is a nice alternative, one where speed and light are inconsequential! Turtle searching led me to the Chenango Canal towpath trail and wetland complex.
My first encounter was a painted turtle basking in the warm gravel at the edge of the road. I managed to capture a few portraits before it crawled into the swamp.
A hundred meters down the towpath trail, I saw what appeared to be a shiny flat rock in the grassy center strip. Something wasn’t right – too shiny – so I approached cautiously. Oh boy – a young snapping turtle! It was tiny by snapper standards, about the size of a hand with fingers extended. Speaking of fingers …..
I wanted one more image, that of a big, mature snapper, but much of the shallow water along the near bank was obscured by the tall, dense growth of Touch-me-not (Jewelweed).
Eventually I found a clear view of the canal in prime turtle habitat, but saw nothing but a large, slimy rock covered in algae and mud. Time to give up and head home……or not!?
The rock had a neck and head! Snappers can live 30 to 40 years and weigh up to 35 pounds; I think this prehistoric monster is living proof!
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
I’ve learned to expect the unexpected during late summer excursions to wetlands and sluggish waters. A recent trip in search of large subjects like snapping turtles and beavers resulted in just the opposite: macro photography of insects in the order Odonata. Conspicuous dragonfly and damselfly activity caught my attention and the discovery of mating pairs in the characteristic “mating wheel” formation was a nice surprise.
Territorial fighting among breeding males is fierce. The tattered wing of this Common Pondhawk may be battle scars.
Common Pondhawk defending its mating territory
Mating pair of Common Pondhawk dragonflies
Mating pair of damselflies
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
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