In my search for new places, I tried Tawes Garden this morning, but it was dark and cloudy, so only the flowers cooperated.
Truxtun Park remains my best overall source for bugs.

“As children bid the guest good-night,
And then reluctant turn,
My flowers raise their pretty lips,
Then put their nightgowns on.
As children caper when they wake,
Merry that it is morn,
My flowers from a hundred cribs
Will peep, and prance again.”
Emily Dickinson

Today’s bugs.

I had planned a trip to Edgewater this morning, but a truck repair intervened, and I went to Truxtun Park and Quiet Waters instead. I must admit, these two spots have been as good as any, and better than some.

I have to find some flower names.

Today’s bugs.

Skinks like to hang out near this pile of concrete blocks.

It was over 70 degrees when I left before dawn this morning, and the humidity was rapidly climbing.
It didn’t take long before I realized it was going to be short day. I was sweating by 6:30. and I quit about 9:00. It was just as well, as I had errands to run and the bug hunting was very slow.

Today’s bugs.

I had a busy day scheduled, including a trip to the car mechanic, emissions testing and a computer repair. I made a quick trip to Truxtun Park at 5:30, then again after completing the first two chores. Did you know people over 70 are exempt from the emissions test?
I dug up a couple of new bugs, which is all I could ask in such a brief period.

This is a very cool looking spider.

Today’s bugs.

I started at Truxtun Park this morning, then moved at Quiet Waters Park after a couple of hours.
The weather was near perfect, and some of the bug were truly strange looking.

I just liked the way this leaf looked.

Summer brings some nice colors.

These things are just plain weird looking.

Today’s bugs.

Governor Bridge was somewhat slow this morning. The weather was perfect, but the bugs and birds were relatively scarce.
I did find a cache of turtle that had been dug up and eaten, a first for me.

Today’s flowers.

Today’s bugs.

These eggs may have been laid by one of the Red Cooters I saw in the area earlier this month.

I got up a bit late this morning, and decided to try Truxtun Park and Quiet Waters because they’re close to home.
I actually did well at both places, but quit a little early because of the heat. A dog walker at Truxtun let her large dog off the leash, and he did that growling approach that’s indeterminate. She got a little pissed when I mentioned the leash laws.

I want more butterfly variety than Swallowtails

Skinks are not always so photogenic

And a couple of flowers.

I went back to Governor Bridge this morning because I couldn’t think of a better plan. It’s time to find a new place.
I actually did OK, but I’ll branch out soon to find different bugs and birds.

Today’s bugs.

I gave Governor Bridge a break today, and went to Sands Road at dawn. I started well, but petered out shortly after Graeme arrived, despite extensive searching.
We then went to Wooton, which is just a mile away, and did much better.

This flower bud caught my eye.

There are many frogs in the grass, but they are hard to photograph, as they hop away quickly.

This Praying Mantis was trying to enjoy his meal, and was annoyed at our photography efforts.

Today’s bugs

I met Graeme again at Governor Bridge, and we hit the bugs hard. He’s been a big help in improving my skills.
We walked quite a distance, along the fields and around the lake. We did quite well, including my first Luna Moth.

We found this tortoise as we were leaving.

Today’s bugs.

It’s unusual to see a Luna Moth in the daytime, and this one was probably injured.