Máistir Nádúraí: Sauk Ghosts II

7.01.2018

Sauk Ghosts II

"It is amazing what a lot of insect life goes on under your nose when you have got it an inch from the earth. I suppose it goes on in any case, but if you are proceeding on your stomach, dragging your body along by your fingernails, entomology presents itself very forcibly as a thoroughly justified science."

―Beryl Markham

Dickcissel Spiza americana

It's July! The past few days have been sweltering with almost unbearable high heat and humidity. Whatever outdoor activity I decided upon for the weekend, I wanted to be done by 11:00AM. With better lighting, I decided to have another round with the Ghost Tiger Beetles at the sandlot near the Sauk City Canoe Launch. The beetles were still present, but either there weren't as many or they were a little harder to find. In any case, they were certainly much faster, probably on account of the bright sunlight.

Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa

The sandy realm of tiger beetles must also contain prey―note the little anthills. As I scanned for the zippy beetles, I heard songs of Vesper Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Horned Larks, and Dickcissels. Though this was a bug hunt, I couldn't resist photographing a cooperative Dickcissel before heading home (top photograph). But back to the tigers!

Ghost Tiger Beetle Ellipsoptera lepida

Ah yes! These portraits will do nicely!

I also checked the beach at the Sauk City Canoe Launch and found two somewhat uncommon and difficult-to-photograph tiger beetles: Sandy Stream and Hairy-necked!

Sandy Stream Tiger Beetle Ellipsoptera macra

Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle Cicindela hirticollis

Hey! Where do you think you're going?

Rar!

Farewell most interesting sandlot. Perhaps I'll visit you again late July!

Closer to home ...

Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa

And at the opposite end of beetle behavior is the docile Dogbane Leaf Beetle:

Dogbane Leaf Beetle Chrysochus auratus

Hoary Vervain Verbena stricta

All images © 2018 Mike McDowell

Bio:

Mike McDowell has been documenting southern Wisconsin’s flora and fauna since 1987 and began leading field trips in 2002. Prolific at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, other highlighted natural areas include Pope Farm Conservancy, Spring Green Preserve, and the Baraboo Hills. His nature photography has appeared in various publications, newspapers, magazines and was even featured on a Wisconsin Endangered Resources license plate, a Capital Brewery beer label, and a National Geographic publication. He began journaling nature observations on this blog in 2005. He's the recipient of the 2012 Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award from the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their local communities or state to promote the field of ornithology. He was a finalist in Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year photography contest several times. His other interests include insect macro-photography (especially tiger beetles, treehoppers, and robber flies), fossil collecting, amateur astronomy, botany, natural history, and marksmanship with long-range rifles. Once a gigging musician, collecting Fender Stratocasters is a recently revived interest—most prized being a 1957 Vintage Custom Shop 'Mary Kaye' White Blonde. A former IT Professional, he's spent the last 24 years employed in the sport optics industry.