Category Archives: Insects

Dragonfly Rescue

Posted on July 1, 2019 by

Dragonflies are fierce predators of other insects, seemingly invincible as they zip around ponds and meadows at warp speed. But they themselves fall prey to birds and even other dragonflies, in the dog-eat-dog (dragon-eat-dragon?) insect world. One predator you might … Continue reading →

Posted in Odonata (dragons and damsels) | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Leading My First Field Trip

Posted on June 30, 2019 by

I had planned to write about my visit to Lynx Prairie after Odo-Con, but time is getting away from me and it seems every day brings something else new and exciting that I want to share.  I’ve got a huge … Continue reading →

Posted in Odonata (dragons and damsels) | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Odo-Con 2019 Finds a New Ohio Record!

Posted on June 3, 2019 by

I’ve just returned home from this year’s Ohio Dragonfly Conference — also known as Odo-Con (Odonata Conference). This was my third year to attend, and it just keeps getting better. The conference moves around the state each year, allowing us … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Odonata (dragons and damsels), Ohio | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Two-Fer!

Posted on May 25, 2019 by

Dragon- and damselflies don’t often perch on photogenic flower heads, so when I found this one yesterday I was pleased. Of course it’s not a flower, but close enough.  This is a female emerald spreadwing damselfly (Lestes dryas), clutching the … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Native plants, Odonata (dragons and damsels) | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Falling in Love…with Beetles

Posted on May 18, 2019 by

I might be in the early stages of a love affair…with beetles. A sort of beetle-mania, so to speak. I was aware that there are more species of beetles than plants on our planet, but hadn’t paid any special attention … Continue reading →

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

Dandelion Delight

Posted on April 24, 2019 by

Yes, you read that right — I said, “Dandelion Delight,” alright. Many people despise these little yellow flowers that pop up in lawns in early spring, and do everything they can to eradicate them.  In fact, there may be no … Continue reading →

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

Penguins and More – Galápagos, Part 3

Posted on April 3, 2019 by

On the morning of March 12, the ship anchored off the coast of Isabela Island near Elizabeth Bay. We piled into the zodiacs in groups of about 15 people, and headed off to explore the beautiful and peaceful mangrove lagoon. … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Insects, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Odes in Winter: Where Are They Now?

Posted on February 24, 2019 by

Here in northern Ohio we’ve entered a period of the year that I think of as, “Is It Time Yet?” We’ve been through the depths of a frigid winter and have been treated to some brief warmups in which all … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Odonata (dragons and damsels) | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Visual Ode to the Holiday

Posted on February 14, 2019 by

These are Familiar Bluets in their heart-shaped mating wheel. These damselflies belong to the insect order called Odonata, and we often shorten that to “odes” when talking about them among other ode lovers. And below is a photo of one … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Native plants, Odonata (dragons and damsels), wildflowers | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Cocooning

Posted on November 1, 2018 by

The weather here in northwestern Ohio has turned colder and wetter as we enter the depths of autumn. Humans turn to furnaces and fireplaces for comfort and survival, and insects have their various methods of doing the same. This year … Continue reading →

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