For the fifth year in a row we have a Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina feeding a young Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater in our yard. This small sparrow is a frequent target of our most common obligate brood parasite. In previous years I have been able to photograph the Chipping Sparrow feeding the cowbird but I was only successful in getting separate images when I saw them the other day.
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| Fledgling Brown-headed Cowbird |
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| Chipping Sparrow
There has been a veritable explosion of Soldier Beetles (Cantharidae) recently and reproduction seems to be the only thing on their minds. I will not even attempt to identify this insect as to species, since there are over four hundred different ones and an expert entomologist is needed to resolve specific identification.
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Not exclusively, however. They are shown below on Common Fleabane Erigeron philadelphicus.
And on Canada Thistle Cirsium arvense.
Perhaps a change of venue is good for an amorous insect!
I came across a couple of patches of this flower, certainly in the Rudbeckia family, and I believe it to be Thin-leaved Coneflower Rudbeckia triloba, a beautiful plant indeed.
In the same family is the familiar prairie flower, Black (or Brown)-eyed Susan Rubeckia hirta.
My inadequate entomological skills were again put to the test when this wasp showed up in clusters at our hummingbird feeder. I believe it to be Blackjacket Wasp Vespula consobrina, a beautifully-marked species.
A puddling Clouded Sulphur Colias philodice gave me no problem.
Nor did the ubiquitous Cabbage White Pieris rapae.
Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina has a full crop of its distinctive red fruit, winter food for a wide variety of organisms, and one of my favourite trees (shrubs?).
Who knows what my next post will bring?
