First Frost

The thermometer said 19 degrees. My fingers said "frozen". Yesterday there was a frantic search for gloves, I finally found a matching set; left and right, blue and green. The geese were busy doing what they do best, eating. There was a set of opossum tracks in the sand on Phantom trail. I bet he was wondering how to get back to Iowa.

Trail Cams & Bears

There have been several bears moving in front of the trail cams this summer, most ignore it but others have taking an interest like this one. Another one used the rebar post the camera was attached to as a scratching post and bent the rebar to almost 90 degrees. I don't use a scent mask or blocker and although the camera may be out a week or more before the bear comes by they still seem to smell something. The camera used on this clip has an invisible infra red flash so I don't think the flash alerted it.

I prefer to have a bear notice the camera since one camera was cut off a tree by one of the primates walking in the woods. Fortunately the camera was found and returned by a more friendly member of the species.
Dale

Karner Blues Mating

I'm going through the butterfly videos from this summer and put this together. Karner's are so common here it is easy to forget they are endangered. There should be more around next year. Its common name was given to it by a Russian novelist who first discovered the species near Karner, NY. Now you can sleep easier.

Camouflage

This faded Mottled Duskywing blends in perfectly to the gravel. It would be almost impossible to see on a tree. Butterflies seem to use one of two options for survival: hide or being easily seen. All in all fascinating insects.

To see video of this butterfly and others check out mnwindchill's YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/mnwindchill

Mimicry

I am on a butterfly photography mission these days and getting images of both new species and old friends. Among the old friends is the Viceroy butterfly. At first glance this is appears to be a Monarch but a couple things distinguish it from the Monarch. It is smaller and does not float in flight like a Monarch. It will will allow you to get a good look at it when its resting, something a Monarch rarely does. When looking at it the bar on the rear wing becomes obvious, something the Monarch does not have. There are lots of them around. The next time you are watching butterflies consider: Is that big orange butterfly a Monarch or Viceroy?

Gorgone Checkerspot

What's in a name? I'm fascinated by the common names of plants and butterflies. In Greek mythology there were three Gorgon sisters who had snakes for hair and would turn anyone who looked at them into stone. Fortunately this is not the case with this butterfly.

New Growth

This camera has been in the Fish Lake area for the last month and I braved the deer flies to see what was on the card. Only a couple deer and a work crew came by during that time. I am always amazed at the number of people who pass by such out of the way and inhospitable locations.
Dale