"He was mastered by the sheer surging of life, the tidal wave of being, the perfect joy of each separate muscle, joint, and sinew in that it was everything that was not death, that it was aglow and rampant, expressing itself in movement, flying exultantly under the stars."
— Jack London
At the end of July Nature presents us with a masterpiece — a symphony of life and beauty that never fails to inspire awe. It beckons us to slow down, to immerse ourselves in its wonders, and appreciate the delicate balance that sustains all living things. In meadows and prairies, wildflowers paint the landscape in a kaleidoscope of moving colors, swaying gently in the summer breeze, inviting bees and butterflies to partake in their nectar-filled banquet. The fields become a symphony of buzzing, as pollinators diligently carry out their essential work.
Every corner of Nature's realm seems to burst forth with life and energy. As the month draws to a close, it leaves us with a sense of gratitude and wonder, a profound connection to the natural world that continues to nourish our souls. Warm summer nights are filled with possibilities, inviting us to explore the mysteries of the Cosmos. Summer's apex is a time of contemplation, of marveling at the vastness of the Universe and our place within it.
Despite a few heavy thunderstorms bringing relief to southern Wisconsin, we remain under extreme drought. Still, it's nice to see the landscape greening up, almost like a second spring. Feeling no obligation to travel anywhere, I stayed close to home once again, exploring nearby Deer Creek and the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor. At the entrance to the woods, an Indigo Bunting observed me with only peripheral concern. By now he's seen hundreds of people, yet remains vigilant for his family and territory. As the aves go, the first fall warblers will begin showing up in about a week or so. Even so, I swear I heard a flight call of a Tennessee Warbler.
And so another Bug Hunt begins ...
As insects go, I've acquainted you with all of the critters in this post on other occasions. Here's a nymph (above) and two adult Coppery Leafhoppers — they were very abundant during my outing.
A Sharp-headed Sharpshooter Leafhopper ...
The ever-nifty Buffalo Treehopper ...
Two-horned Treehoppers ...
For reasons beyond my phenological experience and understanding, this species has been curiously easy to photograph this summer. Typically I find them to be very skittish when I point my macro lens at them — hopping or flying off precisely the moment I commit to pressing the shutter button. Anyway, I've been able to obtain quality portraits of them this inesecting season.
Having said that, this next one gave a few prefatory wing flaps so I figured it wouldn't stick around for long. It's an awkward pose, as if it's about to break into some yoga move. Sure enough, whoosh, and it was gone. Not yoga, but escape!
Here's the ghostly Northern Flatid Planthopper ...
And a Wide-footed Treehopper that appears to have had a rough night during the storm ...
Cool in appearance but an invasive agricultural pest, here's a nymph Halyomorpha halys or Brown Marmorated Stink Bug ...
A probable female Pelegrina proterva with a snack ...
An Ambush Bug in respite, but awaiting unsuspecting prey ...
And Gnat Ogres! What would a July blogpost be without them?
Tiny terrors for even tinier flying insects.
With a colorful background ...
Shifting my position to get a bit more of that ...
Precipitation has moistened the soil, so we should be seeing an increase in mushrooms and fungi ...
Joe-Pye Weed closeup ...
Of things coming ...
And still coming in ...
And that's it for July!
Beneath the cool, verdant canopies of trees, the forest comes alive with activity on scales both large and small — I like to highlight what's invisible to most eyes. Leaves rustle in the breeze, creating a soothing melody that blends harmoniously with begging calls of young birds and crickets ... oh, and Cicadas, too! The diminishing photoperiod prompts woodland creatures to prepare for the changing seasons ahead, gathering food and nurturing young. As July bids adieu, we are left with the promise of new beginnings and the assurance that Nature's marvels will continue to unfold in the ever-changing seasons, painting the world with its timeless grace and wonder.
Middleton Area: Dane, Wisconsin, US
Jul 29, 2023 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM
43 species
Mallard
Wild Turkey
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Barn Swallow
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
All images © 2023 Mike McDowell