Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Nature => Topic started by: paul_reeves on August 02, 2013, 07:33:53 AM

Title: Some Bugs at Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: paul_reeves on August 02, 2013, 07:33:53 AM

Late yesterday afternoon I decided to go "Bugging" at Tommy Thompson Park. Of course if any birds had decided to pose for me I would have taken advantage of the opportunity, but yesterday's goal was to get some Dragonfly and Butterfly shots. I also met Howie for the first time and we had a great conversation. I hope to meet you out somewhere again some time.

I have seen lots of Black saddlebags in flight but this is the first one to perch quietly for me.
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/dragonflies/black_saddlebags/black_saddlebags_4421.jpg)

Based on the diamond pattern on the abdomen I think this is a Meadowhawk of some sort. If someone could help with the ID I would appreciate it.
Edit: Thanks to Zed I now know this is a female Calico Pennant.
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/dragonflies/calico_pennant/calico_pennant_4335.jpg)

I think this is a Cabbage White but I'm not 100% sure. There were lots of them flying around.
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/butterflies/cabbage_white/cabbage_white_4300.jpg)

And finally, I finally saw my first Monarchs of the year.
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/butterflies/monarch/monarch_4263.jpg)

For anyone interested, more photos from my outing yesterday are posted on my website.
http://www.paulreeves.ca/html/most_recent/most_recent.html

Title: Re: Some Bugs at Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: Howieh on August 02, 2013, 11:03:51 AM

Hi Paul,

It was great meeting and chatting with you. I read your comments about eradication of invasive plant species in another thread; I was unpleasantly surprised to see the pesticide sign in the milkweed field on the spit. Do you know what they are trying to get rid of there?

Great photos btw.

Title: Re: Some Bugs at Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: paul_reeves on August 02, 2013, 06:29:38 PM

Thanks Howie.

I don't know what they are trying to remove at TTP or the Brickworks. At Todmorden Mills they have been using hands, axes and chainsaws to remove dogwoods I think. My last visit there last week I talked to a volunteer who was ripping out Dog Strangling Vine. That stuff is nasty and needs to go. But I was saddened to see those swathes of brown at Tommy Thompson because it looks like they are throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Title: Re: Some Bugs at Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: JW Mills on August 02, 2013, 09:22:49 PM

Nice pics!
The 2nd d'fly is a female Calico Pennant.

Title: Re: Some Bugs at Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: paul_reeves on August 03, 2013, 05:40:16 AM

Thank you very much Zed.