Today I Watched Winged Fairies Dancing....

Or at least that's how it felt. I took a walk on Fort Jackson today and was delighted by what I saw. Initially, there were lots of Eastern Pondhawks around Semmes Lake. There were many intermediate males like this one.

Males begin life colored all green as the females are, but turn blue as they mature. It must be adolescence time for them, because there were several I saw in various stages of transition.

Eastern Amberwings were also flying about, no doubt doing their best to feed on gnats and other insects along the water.


I then headed toward the garden plots and discovered this occasionally captivating little stream that is used for irrigation.


Then I took a turn between some of the plots and found another smaller stream. While I lingered there, a Tufted Titmouse bathed unabashed nearby.


Then several Emerald Jewelwings took to flying about in what I presume was some sort of courtship dance. It was very beautiful....but hard to photograph. Here are a few of the dancers between songs, apparently.


Then I found myself facing something that made me feel like I had somehow stepped onto another continent....a grove of bamboo. Most of it was about 4" in diameter.


After tromping through this amazing little spot...I battled a few thorns (and lost) an finally made my way back home feeling thouroughly joyfully for the wonders I had witnessed in a little corner of the world just down the street.

Easter Camping

Took the family on a camping trip to Sesquicentennial State Park on Easter. We had fun camping, doing some biking and geocaching and I, of course, found some time for some birds and bugs!

Probably the coolest was the Red-tailed Hawk that hung around the campground on Monday. It was rather tame and quite photogenic!



I also managed some good shots of a Lancet Clubtail by the (very low) lake.



And in the butterfly department, we were graced with a Northern Cloudywing investigating our unused firepit. (Too dry to have fires!)

Myrtle Beach

We were in Myrtle Beach, SC for a retreat 14-16 OCT and I found a few wings with my camera on Sunday afternoon. I got several good shots of Common Moorhen, which I have a soft spot for. It's one of those birds that, for me, has a special place in my heart because I was so excited the first time I saw one, because it was unexpected, on the last day of a trip, when I wasn't expecting to see any birds...



Two odes cooperated for my camera, a life Rambur's Forktail (very sharp looking damsel)



and then almost omnipresent Blue Dashers...

To the River

Took the family to the Riverwalk in Coumbia, on the Congaree River on Sunday. The water levels have been low due to a ongoing lack of rain for several weeks. This is the best time to go, however, because we can go explore on the rocks!


Alas, it is getting late in the season already for Odes. However, the most numerous by far were the American Rubyspots. They tended to be VERY skittish, but I finally managed some good shots of them. Here's my best one of the day.

Canoe Trip

My wife and I recently took a canoe trip on the Edisto River through Carolina Heritage Outfitters. It was nice, just the two of us! We had perfect weather and a very relaxing time just floating down the river. We stayed overnight in a treehouse (how cool is that!) and then floated some more the second day.



Along the way, we saw two alligators, tons of vultures (Mostly Turkey, but several Black as well), an Anhinga, a flock of immature White Ibis and lots of Little Blue Herons. There were, of course, some odes and butterflies to be seen as well.

This Roseate Skimmer provided a show as it patrolled the shoreline near where we stopped for lunch on the second day.



A Black-shouldered Spinyleg took the opportunity to ride with us for a few minutes on the canoe.


I also got some shots of several different butterflies, none of which I have ID'ed yet. (I have got to get a butterfly book.)