A new one.

On September 11, 2019September 14, 2019 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

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It is always fun to see a new one. Here are two views of a new and interesting looking insect which we think to be a bee but could well be a fly. It smaller than a honey bee, has long antennae, a hairy body like a bee and interesting orange wings. This was the only one like this we have encountered and is not shown in the guide to local bees making me think it may be a bee-fly mimic.

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Yes, it is indeed fun to encounter a new species of any kind to reinforce just how wonderful the diversity of life on our planet.

Thanks for everyones help in identification of this insect. Looks to be a Hornet-Moth.

Morning Dipper

On September 10, 2019August 30, 2019 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

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An American Dipper looks to take a morning dip along the shore of a local lake. Seeing him as we paddled around the shore was a bit unusual as I can’t recall actually seeing a Dipper along a lake shore. We previously have only seen them in rivers and streams both of which are considered more typical Dipper habitat. It was good to see this guy working the lakeshore and a nice way to start the day.

Clark’s Nutcracker

On September 8, 2019September 8, 2019 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

A Clark’s Nutcracker enjoying an early fall day along the Lewis River Channel in Yellowstone National Park.

Just Nibbles

On September 7, 2019 By Mike and Christy5 Comments

Fall is here and it is time to fatten up. This little Chipmunk was spending their afternoon scurrying about finding and then quickly scarfing down small little nibbles along side of the trail. Yellowstone National Park.

Little Hunters

On September 4, 2019September 4, 2019 By Mike and Christy7 Comments

One sunny afternoon we noticed these little (less than an inch in length) Bluet Damselflies hovering and sometimes landing on the tiny flowers of a goldenrod plant. After taking a closer look and a few photos we discover why. They were hunting even smaller flies that were pollinating the flowers. The hunting forays appeared to be quite successful as they nabbed numerous meals on this one little stem.

Little hunters with a big appetite.

Loggerhead Shrike

On August 31, 2019 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Sitting on a fence post looking for his next victim is a Loggerhead Shrike. “These birds sit on low, exposed perches and scan for rodents, lizards, birds, and insects. They eat smaller prey (such as ground beetles) right away, but they are famous for impaling larger items on thorns or barbed wire to be eaten later. The species often hovers. When flying it uses bursts of very rapid wingbeats.”

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike/id

This time the victim was a large Grasshopper.

Which the Shrike Caught and them impailed on this barbed wire fence.

The Shrike let the Grasshopper be for a minute but quickly went to town on his meal.

Laramie, WY.

At waters edge

On August 29, 2019August 29, 2019 By Mike and Christy12 Comments

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Along the waters edge a dragonfly sits.

Laying low

On August 27, 2019August 23, 2019 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

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This American Toad was spending the morning laying low just waiting to bugs to fly by and become their morning meal. If you look close I think you can see the evidence of a successful catch.