Some local scenes as we approach the end of summer …

Bristly sarsaparilla is fruiting …

This looks like a potter or mason wasp  nectaring on a fall aster…

These mimics of Monarchs, Viceroy Butterflies are very busy in late summer…

That lateral line across both the fore and hind wings positively identifies this mimic.

No lateral line in this (female?) Monarch …

Probably a Cherry-faced, Ruby or White-faced Meadowhawk ….

Grasshopper hanging onto a Juniper twig …

Maturing tamarack cones …

Hoverfly zooming in on a Purple gerardia …

Two different bluets …  see the Dragonfly Whisperer

 

Seed “cones” of tag alder …

 

White Admiral … The fine condition of this specimen probably means that this is a second generation.  It’s caterpillars will overwinter to metamorphose next spring …

Short antennae indicate that this is a Hoverfly of some sort …

Obviously this is a regrowth of an earlier fruiting body.  It is a form of heart rot, a fungus which attacks the inner core of mature trees.  Here’s more information about this northern tooth fungus (Climacodon septentrionale)  found on Shebeshekong Road.

Blue Sailors or Chicory…

Probably White-faced Meadowhawks …

 

Longhorned beetle in the grass near Poplar trees….

Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar on its favorite plant …

Meadowsweet in the rain …

Prunus serotina, commonly called black cherry, wild black cherry, rum cherry, or mountain black cherry, can be distinguished from Prunus virginiana, commonly called bitter-berry, chokecherry, Virginia bird cherry and western chokecherry by its collar type attachment of its stem to its fruit.  It also has a much nicer taste…. as in black cherry frozen yoghurt.

We have busy times as the end of summer nears….

Our friends in the southern states had to alter their bird watching due to Hurricane Irma:

http://birdcast.info/forecast/hurricane-irmas-impact-on-birds/