celastrina ladon
Thursday, June 13, 2008 — 7:00 pm
Lake County, Illinois — Lyon’s Prairie Conservation Area
This very tiny, very beautiful butterfly was flitting low over a mowed trail, stopping frequently at clover flowers. To take these photos, I put my camera on super-macro and got within half an inch.
I know nothing about moths, but based on this site, I think this is a species called Pale Beauty. I saw it on June 12, at around 7:00 pm at Lyon’s Prairie Conservation Area.
Milkweed plants are really where it’s happening in the bug world. Find a clump somewhere and just stand and watch. You’ll see butterflies and beetles and bees and all sorts of strange creatures. Like this Red Milkweed Beetle. Its antennae actually stick up through the center of its compound eyes, making it look like it has four eyes.
I’m sitting here watching the game and listening to Len and Bob interview Billy William. Billy is explaining how he’s been coaching Kosuke Fukudome on how to play the outfield in Wrigley Field. He said, “I’ve told him about all the crooks and nannies out there in right field.”
vanessa cardui
Sunday, June 8, 2008 — 5:57 pm
McHenry County, Ill — Hickory Grove Conservation Area
This Painted Lady was flying low along a mowed path through a large grassy field. It flitted from one clover flower to another, stopping briefly. Smaller butterflies — Pearl Crescents and skippers — would dart at it, but the Painted Lady paid them no mind. It paid me no mind either, except for an annoying tendency to stay between me and the sun, making photography difficult.
