Before you start looking at insects you had better become familiar with some getting to know them on a first name basis.
Today started out as our typical mornings do – with moths. We never tire or Luna moths.
We had our first Azelea sphinx moths of the year.
Rosy maple moths are always an appreciated visitor.
Our first Northern pine looper of the year.
After breakfast we headed off to Pictured Rocks. We were going to look for moonworts at Grand Sable Dunes, then take our friend Dan to the “Orchid Trail,” a bit further west in the park.
As you hike up the dune trail you come to a spot where the path diverts to either side of a small island of trees and vegetation. This is our spot to start looking for moonworts.
We found two species today – Bortichium michiganense (the smaller one on the left) and Bortychium matricarifolium (the larger one on the right). We were pleased with how many specimens we found today, more than in the past 2-3 years.
Here’s Susan photographing the larger Botrychium matricarifolium.
We then met Dan and took him to the “Orchid Trail” for some life orchids. We managed to find both orchids, but the forest floor here was carpeted with Twin flowers (Linea borealis).
Here’s Dan getting a photo of his first Hookers.
Here’s my photo of the flowers of the Hooker’s orchid (Platanthers hookerii)
More tomorrow…
Michael's Place 