Wasps and Smoke

Wasps and Smoke

by | May 1, 2011 | Fauna

At the edge of a burning field two wasps smell the smoke and think it’s love, occasionally caressing each others antenna.
Konza Prairie Stag

Konza Prairie Stag

by | Oct 6, 2010 | Fauna, Flint Hills

Konza Prairie – We are traveling the trail in parallel. I stay on the rocky path while he takes a course along the edge of the woods, watching over his family and keeping them a safe distance from me. I saw them first a few moments ago, just silhouettes at the top of...
Milkweed Bugs – Moment of Togetherness

Milkweed Bugs – Moment of Togetherness

by | Oct 5, 2010 | Fauna, The Natural World

Konza Prairie nature trail – Milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) taste lousy, part of their defense against predators. Instead of attempting to blend in with their environment they advertise their nastiness with a bright orange warning coloration. Massing together...
Male Golden Garden Spider

Male Golden Garden Spider

by | Sep 19, 2010 | Fauna

Over the years I’ve posted several photos of the big female golden garden spider (argiope aurantia). She’s more spectacular, but sometimes if you search nearby you’ll find a male. They are much smaller than the female, this one measures only 1 1/2...
Studying Each Other

Studying Each Other

by | Sep 3, 2010 | Fauna

Lyon County, Kansas – As we watched each other she starting stamping one foot. Was it a warning or an invitation to dance? I’ll never know, she retreated into the woods soon after this shot.
Alert in the Woods

Alert in the Woods

by | Sep 2, 2010 | Fauna

It’s always a gift to get close to these elusive animals. They bound for safety at the least provocation, so trying to photograph them is a fragile undertaking. I hid behind a small tree and stayed very quiet until this young deer passed close by. Moments after...