Category Archives: Insects

I Went to Hell and Back for This — Twice

Posted on June 16, 2018 by

This is a story about expectations. In the beginning of the story you may think I’m quite thick-headed. But I think I redeemed myself in the end, so I’m willing to suffer some embarrassment in the interest of making a … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Ecotherapy, Happiness and Gratitude, Insects, Ohio, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The Circle of Life, Insect Edition

Posted on June 2, 2018 by

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, this is the time of year when the focus of my nature explorations turns away from birds and toward dragonflies and other insects. And just like the birds this year, the dragonflies seemed … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Wings That Lifted Me Up

Posted on May 23, 2018 by

I just had the most extraordinary experience thanks to the kindness of a friend. I’d been feeling down for a few days and was keeping to myself, refusing to socialize with anyone. I knew I just needed some time away … Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness and Gratitude, Insects | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fun with Fungi (and mosses and lichens)

Posted on November 16, 2017 by

After bemoaning the end of insect season in a recent post, I decided to stop whining and  get out there to find something to photograph in the woods. And I’m happy to say that I was amply rewarded for my determination. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fungi, Mosses, Lichens, Insects, Ohio | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Reprieve from Insect Withdrawal

Posted on November 2, 2017 by

For many years, fall has been my favorite season. Not only does it bring the ephemeral reds, oranges, and yellows of tree leaves, but there’s something about the particular shade of blue in the sky on a crisp October day … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Butterflies of the Night

Posted on October 23, 2017 by

This summer I started paying much closer attention to moths than ever before. Most of us don’t think about these critters unless we’re swatting them away from the porch light so they don’t get into our houses. We rarely stop … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Ohio | Tagged , | 6 Comments

30 Minutes Under an Elm Tree

Posted on October 3, 2017 by

The other day I went out into my yard to look for any interesting insects I could find so I could practice my macro photography techniques. I was focused primarily on my big American Elm tree and the lawn beneath … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Ohio, Photography, Toledo, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Gentian Trifecta

Posted on September 23, 2017 by

I’ve mentioned that this spring and summer have been a time of flower exploration for me. Whereas in past years I  might travel to find certain bird species, this year I traveled around northern Ohio to see our various wildflowers … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Native plants, wildflowers | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

A Day at the Beach

Posted on September 18, 2017 by

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you won’t be misled by that title. But if you’re new around here and are expecting photos of people swimming…well, sorry about that. I did spend a couple hours at the beach … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Going Native in Toledo

Posted on September 6, 2017 by

In recent years, I’ve spent a lot of time around people who are knowledgeable about various aspects of the natural world: ornithologists, entomologists, and botanists — both professional and amateur.  Like me, most of my friends are passionate about their … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Native plants | Tagged , | 10 Comments