Heatwave Relief!

Yesterday was a lovely day for walkng....Gracie and I walked at the CJ Brown Prairieview area, Kirby Preserve and Old Reid.
Here's a few of our sights.

Twin fawns enjoying the lovely day at CJ Brown

 Silvery Checkerspot Butterflies

       Cabbage White Butterfly                                      Siver Spotted Skipper                

Black Swallowtail                                                         Viceroy            

Everybody obelisk!

Everybody obelisk! Dragonflies utilize a posture called obelisking to prevent overheating during our summer heatwave. By pointing their abdomens straight upward, they minimize the amount of body surface area absorbing the sun's rays. A few snaps from these hot days. Names in captions.

White-Faced Meadowhawk                                   Blue Dasher 

    

Elfin Skimmer (male)                                            Elfin Skimmer (female)

Elfin Skimmer (male)                                          Eastern Pondhawk   

Blue Dasher                                        Eastern Amberwing

Cicada Time!

 Cicada emerging a few nights ago. These guys will soon fill the summer days with sound. As they emerge, I'm reminded of the colors of an intricate enameled brooch. This is not the "periodic cicada" that emerges every 17 years.... it's the "annual" cicada.... meaning it appears every summer. Even so, this one still lives underground in its nymph stage for 2-5 years, emerging as an adult and then spending only a few weeks mating and laying eggs before dying.

A Unique Micrathena Spider

 Yesterday, while exploring George Rogers Clark Park, I saw and photographed a very unique Spined Micrathena Spider. These spiders are normally black and white in various patterns. This one was a vivid blueberry color. 

A Bold Jumping Spider Family

 A female Bold Jumping Spider made her nest and laid her eggs under our deck railing. It's been fun watching her raise her brood of spiderlings. "
If I get too close, she doesn't hesitate to "throw hands" until I back off. Such a good momma. 

Momma Bold Jumping Spider under the deck railing

The spiderlings 

Momma and spiderlings. They are starting to explore.

Momma threatening to "throw hands" if I get too close.

A spiderling

Momma close-up

Momma feasting on a Lacewing