Harbinger of Summer

Calico Pennant Emerging

Summer is here.  No June 20th didn't arrive early, by to me when the beautiful calico pennant dragon emerges, summer is here.    These beautiful dragons are a personal favorite.   When they first emerge, they can emerge in mass.  That has been the case over the last several days.   Starting last Sunday, and continuing through the week, each evening, nymphs climb out of there watery homes onto blades of grass, dead twigs, or in the above picture an old sori from a sensitive fern from last year.

It is really special to get to the lake shore where I know these emerge and see literally dragon upon dragon on the grasses near the lake shore.    The picture above shows the warming up dragon along with its exuvia.  The exuvia is the outer 'skin' the nymph had while it was an aquatic insect.

To showcase the beauty of the dragon, I took the liberty of having the dragon perch on some very un-natural plants - like a dames rocket.

It would be highly unusual to find a dragon on such a perch as it was emerging.   The plant doesn't grown in the water and the nymph would never crawl up a blossom such as this.   But even with it being a more forced setting, it sure is pretty to see a beautiful dragon on the blossom.

Common Baskettail on Sensitive Fern

Another dragon that emerges at the same time as the calico pennant is the common baskettail.   Here you see the new dragon fly, along with its exuvia on the underside of a sensitive fern.   Being a large dragon fly, you can find some very interesting perches that these dragons find suitable for transforming from an aquatic creature into the flying jewels we know so well.

I'll continue to hunt for dragons during the summer, but there isn't the excitement later in the summer compared to the first big week of dragon fly emergence.

Spring Wild Flower Landscapes

Spring is a unique time in nature.   Wild flowers compete for space, nutrients and light.  Each species develop strategies to best find there niche in the ecosystem.

As some species grow and find habitats suitable for themselves, they can grow and form some of the most beautiful landscapes for themselves and us to enjoy.

This season has been exceptional for these large landscapes.  It is a real challenge for a nature photographer to find the time to capture all of these areas.    This year I made a dedicated effort to capture as many as I could find.   Here are a few of my favorites.

One the early 'grand' wild flower landscapes are formed by virginia bluebells.

Furnace Run Area in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The late April display is a true visual treat.  There are areas that have acres of the bluebells carpeting as far as the eye can see. 

This year my good photography friend Jeff found some wonderful displays of an invasive species called dames rocket.

Indigo Lake Area in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Even though this is an invasive species, it is really beautiful and inspiring to see.  Just don't tell others that I told you. 

On the more native side of wild flowers, I found a new area for myself this year.  While hiking one morning, I came across a beautiful stand of golden rag wort.   Luckily I had my photography gear and was able to capture some of this beautiful display.

Kendall Lake Area of Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Last wild flower landscape that I'll share is unfortunately another invasive species - yellow flag iris.  Annually an area near Beaver Marsh in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park has a beautiful display of this invasive wetland species.  On a crisp, foggy morning, watching the sun burst through the trees makes for a special start to a day. 

Beaver Marsh in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

I am lucky to be able to enjoy these beautiful ephemeral treats of nature (both wanted and unwanted).  

Next up in natures spring wake up is the mass emergence of dragon flies.   I'll share some of those treats later in the week.   

Dragons in the Spring

Indigo Lake Sunrise - May 4th

When I mention to people that an alarm clock is the best tool a nature photographer has, they look at me kind of skeptical.  I will submit the above image as evidence.

Taken this morning at Indigo Lake in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  

Then as my photography friend Jeff and I were heading back to the parking lot, Jeff spotted the first dragon fly of the season.   YEAH!!!!    Nothing can help enhance a beautiful sunrise as much as finding your first dragon fly on the season.

Springtime Darner

Aptly named the springtime darner.   This early emerging dragon fly lived upto to its name this morning.  Always exciting to find a fresh dragon fly.  The first of the season is always special.

Then as I was leaving for the morning, I spotted this very zen like pattern on reed grasses in the lake.

You can view all of my favorite images from this morning at my web site:
Indigo Lake - May 4th Morning