First I have two photos from the reader known as “the shorteared owl,” but sadly I’ve lost the IDs and notes. But readers (or the photographer) can help identify these lepidopterans:
Two birds from Stephen Barnard in Idaho:
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) with landing gear retracted. I was photographing some mallards when he flew over the flock looking for cripples. (It’s hunting season.) I’m thinking that the photo I sent you of a Northern Harrier attacking a merganser was a case of mistaken identity on the part of the hawk. Megansers ride low in the water, and I think the harrier mistook it for a mallard cripple. It was in the middle of a bunch of mallards. Mallards are very strong fliers. I’ve never seen a hawk attack a healthy one.
Also, a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) living up to its nickname of shitepoke.
And two flies (yay!) from reader Dom:
The dipterans are Empididae – ‘dance’ flies, whose males give insect gifts to get females to mate with them – no dead insect, no union! I would guess that these are females from the pointed abdomen but I really am not sure. The species is probably Empis opaca, but it is I think only the red femur is all that distinguishes it from Empis tessellata. Dipteran experts can correct me!
Extra points for knowing what species the flowers are – I thought field scabious – Knautia arvensis – but I am not terribly good with flowers…
Extra points for knowing what species the flowers are – I thought field scabious – Knautia arvensis – but I am not terribly good with flowers…
The butterflies are Peacock and Speckled Wood, two common British species.
Lovely pix!
The peacock one is most likely feasting on Cirsium vulgare (thistle species).
Shitepoke indeed. More like shitelasso. And to think I used to get annoyed at NYC pigeons for treating my face to dainty dollops of ‘cold cream’. 🙂
Yes, they sure look like field scabious.
I initially thought of thistle too, for the first photo, but it doesn’t look pokey enough.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirsium_vulgare
That’s why I think it’s bachelor’s buttons/cornflower, as per comment #4 (probably Centaurea cyanus).
I’m fairly certain the Peacock is on Centaurea nigra. I have a stand of this in my garden (wild sown).
Ah, yes, I think you’re right! Thanks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurea_nigra
Must have been in April as the hawthorn? (is it?) is opening…
Lovely photos – the hawk with the landing gear retracted is very nice. Yesterday, while reading WEIT in my kitchen, I heard a loud thump on the window & noticed a small hawk (probably a Sharp-Shined) flying into the tree. I grabbed my camera, but he must’ve been too embarrassed that he didn’t get the bird & flew off (or he realized he scared all the birds away so no point hanging around).
Have Blue Herons here every summer and you can often see places on the ground as a result of there natural bombings. It is a good thing cows don’t fly.
If cows did fly, it’d be a hard time telling them (and especially their ejecta) from the priests and politicians….
b&
I think you’re correct about the flowers, Dr. C. They’re also popularly called scabiosa at the garden centers, and come in different colours such as lavender blue, pink and white.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knautia_arvensis
Just to clarify, I’m talking about the last two flower shots. The first one could be Bachelor’s Buttons or cornflower.
Possibly Centaurea montana http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurea_montana
or probably Centaurea cyanus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurea_cyanus
Oh, now I see that MP at #1 has pointed out that the first blue flower is most likely Centaurea nigra, and I agree.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurea_nigra
Thanks! Both were in North Norfolk just between the village church of Thugarton & the village of Sustead…
I can confirm the dance fly is a female, with the elongated end of the abdomen. They lay their eggs in soil, and the elongated abdomen lets them insert eggs a little ways into the soil.
Here is a picture of their interesting mating behavior, where the male gives the female a yummy dead insect as a nuptial gift.
Great shots, owl, Stephen, & Dom!
Your favour gives crutches to my faults…
Not jut this post, but I’m in awe of how these photographers get beautiful pictures of birds and insects in flight.
I have been photographing in a previous life, but insects in flight is one of the most difficult arts to master- if ever one can master it. A bit like landing a probe on a comet, methinks.
Sub