One Big Bug Hunter!

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This is a Dragonhunter .. a really big dragonfly. I think this one is about 4 inches long. I took this quote from an app I use to help me identify insects (Check out Picture Insect App (iOS)).

The dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) is a large dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It's a solitary species with a territorial behavior. It will vigorously protect its territory from other dragonflies, it has also been known to attack songbirds too. It's most active when the sun is out, and it typically rests parallel to the sun's rays.

From wikipedia:

The adult feeds on large insects, including darner and clubtail dragonflies, sometimes ambushing them from above. It also takes monarch butterflies, eating the thorax and abdomen first to avoid the greatest concentration of cardenolide toxins.

Amazing .. and one big bug hunter.

~ Rick

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©2019 ©2020 Rick Cartwright

You’re Back?

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Yes, he's back. The reality is I was the one that was back. It seems that this Eastern Towhee resides at the Rangeline Road access entrance to the Stillwater Prairie Reserve. Now he seems to follow us around. Cute.

~ Rick

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Rick’s latest technology muse:

Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. Contact Rick for more information.

©2019 ©2020 Rick Cartwright

Trying To Stay Dry

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The White-breasted Nuthatch is an intriguing bird. We saw these two while hiking this past weekend. It was about to rain and I was hoping the trees would keep us dry. I thought there was a woodpecker in a nearby tree, but instead I saw these two. Lucky for us, they were so engaged in their hunt for lunch that they ignored us.

We didn't get too wet. Some light drizzle, but no heavy rain.

~ Rick

Thrashing Around

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I did not know that the state bird of Georgia is the Brown Thrasher. I have always thought this is a beautiful bird, but I guess I didn't know its ranking in the great state of Georgia.

"The Brown Thrasher is an omnivore, with its diet ranging from insects to fruits and nuts. The usual nesting areas are shrubs, small trees, or at times on ground level. Brown thrashers are generally inconspicuous but territorial birds, especially when defending their nests, and will attack species as large as humans."

"The brown thrasher has been noted for having an aggressive behavior, and is a staunch defender of its nest. However, the name does not come from attacking perceived threats, but is believed to have come from the thrashing sound the bird makes when digging through ground debris. It is also thought that the name comes from the thrashing sound that is made while it is smashing large insects to kill and eventually eat." (wikipedia)

I will have to check this out next time I see one. I have noticed they tend to stay put when I see them. This one just kept hunting in the grass near us, but didn't fly off. I have never had one 'attack' me but I will be watching for this behavior.

~ Rick

Common Wood

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We have seen a large number of [Wood-nymph Butterflies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_wood-nymph) this week. I love the patterns in their wings. In the right lighting you can get some intereeting colors too. ~ Rick

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Rick’s latest technology muse:

Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. Contact Rick for more information.

©2019 ©2020 Rick Cartwright