Circle of Life...

I can almost never pass up an opportunity to blip insect-porn...and this was just too good to pass up as it also involves one of my very favorite dragons, the Halloween Pennant.  When HillyBlips and her hubs and I were out at this same trail on Sunday, we saw loads of these beautiful dragons ... all far out over the marsh, ovipositing eggs while flying in tandem.  Today, nary a pair to be seen over the water, but we did find this very accommodating pair who were not bothered in the least by having a bunch of lenses pointed at them.  In fact, you may be able to read the female's lips (wait, do dragons have lips?) as she say, "Never mind, dear, just carry on!"


Great 4.5 mile hike today with my naturalist group.  Only two more walks left this summer, sadly.  I enjoy this group very much and I always learn things when I am out with them.  

Got home a bit tired, a bit grubby but very satisfied.  Took this shot with the rental lens and the 1.7 teleconverter, giving me an effective reach of 500 mm.  Not the ideal lens setup for dragons, but it worked out okay.  And, did I mention...I really like that lens!

We saw several different kinds of frogs today, dragons, damsels, birds, butterflies and a snake.  I posted four shots on Flickr, Starting HERE.  When I came home, I found a beautiful female monarch fluttering around the milkweed - pretty sure she laid some eggs!  She also took time out for some nectar, as seen here.  And if you are in need of your daily hummie-fix, I've posted one of the young males in Extras - he was farting around on the deck and lost his balance.  

Summer is flying by way too fast.

TTFN...