"At the beach—time you enjoyed wasting, is not wasted."
— T. S. Eliot
Sunday started off a bit gloomy with overcast skies and cool temperatures, but by afternoon the weather turned fantastic. Instead of birding, I decided to take advantage of the warmth and search for tiger beetles at the Sauk City Canoe Launch along the Wisconsin River. With the canopy already filled in, tracking down birds by calls and songs has become more challenging to at least see them—another good reason to switch gears and focus on my favorite insects once again.
Though I visit the canoe launch throughout the year, my favorite time to be here is when the place greens up and insect life returns. There's something about the mix of fresh foliage that makes the whole area come alive.
Here's the best place to find the beetles ...
And just like that, Big Sand Tiger Beetle!
I just love this species. On my last visit, I only spotted two or three prowling around in the sand. But this time, there were easily twenty or more—active, fast, and everywhere I looked.
Collecting the portraiture ...
Spending a few hours with Big Sand Tiger Beetles is always a thrill. They're fast, alert, and constantly on the move—miniature predators patrolling their sandy turf. Watching them up close, you start to appreciate not just their speed and striking patterns, but also how well they've adapted to their environment. Sometimes, they vanish into patches of dead sticks and grass, becoming nearly invisible. One second they're in plain sight, the next they've melted into the background.
On site, my first Spiderwort of the season ...
And Toadflax ...
A true gem of the season was stumbling upon Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis) growing near one of my regular spots for finding Six-spotted Tiger Beetles. It's always a thrill when two favorites—one floral, one ferocious—share the same patch of woodland.
There was just one, but it took a backseat to the orchids!
All images © 2025 Mike McDowell