Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Sorry cats, it's back to bugs!

Last week, several of us artistic types got together and went sketching down by the St. Lawrence River in Cornwall. There is a nice waterfront park there. We had lunch, then set to work. My friend Ronna did a nice post on our day out. Before sketching, I wandered off with my macro lens and found a thistle plant loaded with butterflies...


So many Painted Lady and Monarch butterflies!



We've seen so many of these little beauties lately.





I couldn't get over all the butterflies on the thistle plant.




And a bright green beetle! Feel free to identify it for me.



I think he looks so pretty on the purple.



A mama Black duck and her family swam by!



Butterfly-a-palooza!



Parts of Cornwall are less than attractive, and I make fun of it a lot, but really the waterfront is exceptionally pretty. THere's a great biking/walking path along the water too.



This scene gave me a chuckle. On the dock was a group of teens frying themselves in the sun. At the picnic table, a group of seniors gathering for coffee, doughnuts and a smoke. The funniest thing about them was what they road up on: various electric scooters and an electric bike, all decked out with sound systems. They were blasting different 70s rock songs when they each rolled up!



A black duck enjoying a quiet moment.



I believe this is a paper wasp, and she was watching me watching her! Look what she'd caught: a little caterpillar!


She walked around the thistle plant with her prize...



...then took off!



What a gorgeous day.


26 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous post. What kind of patience must you have to photograph the butterflies.
    Now you don't talk about any sketching. did you get to sketch?

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    1. I did some very lame sketches of the oldsters at the picnic table, and the dock. I wasn't working very hard. SPent too much time chatting to my fellow artists! :)

      I've found that Monarchs are easily spooked, whereas Painted Ladies don't seem to give a damn. I try to sneak up on them quietly!

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  2. Aren't butterflies just such magnificent creatures?!!

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    1. They really are. WHen you stop and study their wings, well, it's just incredible.

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  3. Wow , so many Butterflies !
    My mom too LOVE to phoograph Butterflies and different bugs with her macrolens :)

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    1. I like your Mom!! Smart lady! :)

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  4. The green beetle you need identifying.. I'm sure it's Henry.
    Jane x

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  5. If it's not Henry, you may want to make sure it's not an emerald ash borer. They have been found in the Twin Cities and have cost us a lot of ash trees already. Those bugs are buggers!

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    1. Apparently it's not but sadly, Emerald ash borers have made inroads here and are killing our ash trees as well. :((

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  6. Fantastic photos yet again!

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  7. You really are a great photographer. And what's my Tabby cat Freddie, and Labrador dog Monty, doing in your previous posting? Send them back at once!

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    1. Oh thank you, Mr. Magnon. :) You are very kind. ANd your cat and dog just slipped across the pond for an overnighter. THey should be home now!

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  8. Anonymous9:32 am

    Your camera is awesome. The photographer is pretty amazing too. I'd frame the one at the top. The cat and dog photos below are also gorgeous. I know I've commented about Emily's markings before but they are so unique. She's a pretty little girl.

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    1. THank you m'dear. I want to get some macro shots printed out and framed. And everyone remarks on Emily when they see her. To think she just showed up at our door!

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  9. Anonymous10:00 am

    Great photos. Really like the closeup of the bug!(the contrast of purple and green is striking and I also like the texture.

    Janet

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    1. THanks Janet! I liked the colours in that one. AMazing what hues nature puts together, really.

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  10. Now you've got me bidding on a 100mm macro on ebay! You inspire me to get into trouble with these beautiful photos!

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  11. I am so envious over your summer

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    1. I can't remember another summer quite like this one. Hot hot hot and dry dry dry!

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  12. Replies
    1. That's because I'm 48! LOL But THANK YOU!!!!

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  13. All your macro stuff is as wonderful as macro stuff should be, but I REALLY like the one of all the thistles and butterflies against the sky. What a joy, life.

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    1. I couldn't believe it when I stumbled across that. It was just loaded with them!

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Thank you for all your comments, which I love to read!