This summer, the skies have been hazy (likely due to fires out west) so we had the rare clear sky last few nights.
Three Rainy Days
As the season starts to wind down, the habits of our hummingbirds are becoming more observable. This young guy has a regular route and feeding habit.
A Visitor to the Gladiola
Ruby-throated hummingbird.
Still shooting bugs too...
A recent wasp, katydid, and other visitors…
Going back in time - 2021
Band season has started and my daughter, Madeline, is drum major for her senior year!
Hummingbird 2021
Sorry - haven’t been posting in awhile. Much less photography this year than in years past. Here are some shots from the backyard of our visiting ruby-throated hummingbirds. See if you can pick out the juvenile males vs. the females vs. the adult male.
Our First Island Getaway
A week in St. Croix…relaxing and not taking too many photos.
Mallards at Spring Lake Park
When all else fails - there are always some mallards around to photograph. Shooting with Jeremey Mudd, it was interesting to see mallards fighting over a fish.
Spring Lakes
Our local fishing lake, Spring Lakes Park, can be a great spot to capture wildlife. The stocked lake provides a steady source of food for eagles, osprey, and king fishers.
Chasing the Short-Eared Owl
Each year, a large number of short-eared owls visit Dayton as they migrate south. Two trips to Huffman Prairie, and I didn’t get a keeper, but here are a few tries. On the second visit, the owls didn’t pose, but I did capture a Northern Harrier and a White-tailed Deer.
The Rare Senior Portrait
Occasionally I’m asked by school friends to help with school portraits. Here are some shots of Garrett Sharp and his step-dad Mike Gentile.
Instar Swallowtail Caterpillars
We’ve had a number of Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillars on our carrots and dill. Today Louise discovered three first stage and second stage instar caterpillars on the end-of-season dill.
Bugs at Home
The final blooms of summer are attracting some great insects.
Ohio's Brown Booby
Stefan Minnig and I made the long trek to Nimisila Reservoir today to find the rare Brown Booby. This Brown Booby is the first one of its kind ever recorded in Ohio. With some patience, we were rewarded with some decent light and a close fly-by.
Our Resident Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Introducing Reginald Rufus
Space Invader
What do you do when an alien enters your home - you take pictures of course. Deciding to enter our house while the door was open tonight, this dragonfly was highly agitated and confused. I gentle subdued the dragonfly with a water mister and coaxed it onto a branch. Before releasing it back outside, I had to take a couple of pictures.
Hummingbirds!!!
The ruby-throated hummingbirds are getting ready for the big trip south - stocking up at the backyard feeders. We’ve had several females and first-year males. I’ve spotted a few mature males, but that have been few and far between.
Hiding in the Gladioula
A short visit with a Tan Jumping Spider, and some nighttime shooting of an ant and a boll weevil (?).
Blue Dashers Visits Our House
Two male blue dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) visited our garden today. Unusually friendly, after a couple of minutes, they let be come right up to them. They are more than welcome to help control the pests in our garden.
In the Backyard and Around the Neighborhood
Just a few recent shots…
