makielb

An interesting week

With the situation with the US/Israeli invasion of Iran, to tariffs and the disaster of the FIFA World Cup match in the US it’s clear how the US is affecting Americans and the World. Since I can’t upload images any longer I guess I’ll just write. The invasion of Iran has been embarrassing and hasContinue reading “An interesting week”

Imperial Moth

Yesterday we were able to go and see an Imperial moth that our friend Audra found on a sycamore tree in her yard. I’ve only seen two before this this one, one in 2023 and one in the early 1990s. So it’s quite special in my opinion. This beast when fully “puffed” up will measureContinue reading “Imperial Moth”

Fourth of July, 2026

Here we are on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And the founding fathers would be deeply upset on the governments descent into fascism. The only solution is to vote anti-fascism, anti-MAGA. Go ANTIFA! On another note I am trying to figure out why I can no longer post photosContinue reading “Fourth of July, 2026”

Whitefish Point moths

On the day that we left Whitefish Point going back to Ann Arbor we had a great morning with moths. Here are a few of them. Button slug moth on the left, White-dotted prominent on the right. Blinded sphinx. Azalea sphinx. Polyphemus moth, upper wing view. Polyphemus moth, underwing view. Luna moth, one of myContinue reading “Whitefish Point moths”

Looking for a rare bird

We spent yesterday at Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Schoolcraft County, Michigan looking for a very rare nesting bird. In the course of our visit we managed to find many nice insects. Two nice damselflies. Boreal Bluet on the left, Tule Bluet on the right. Dusky clubtail, a dragonfly. A monarch caterpillar on milkweed. OurContinue reading “Looking for a rare bird”

Moths at Whitefish Point

The other day we had a delightful morning with moths at our moths lights at Whitefish Point. Here’s a sample of what we had. Celery leaf tier on the left. Pale glyph on the right. Eastern panthea. Horned spanworm on the left. Powder moth on the right. Lettered habrosyne Northern pine looper. Rosy maple moth.Continue reading “Moths at Whitefish Point”

A morning at Whitefish Point

Sunrise yesterday was stunning, making it a great time to go for a walk after breakfast. There was a group of six Common Loons on the bay. Piping Plover on a nest within the nest enclosure. Blue flag iris and orange hawkweed. Beach pea. Sand cherry. Susan counting the Lake Huron tansies. Getting close forContinue reading “A morning at Whitefish Point”

The Great Influenza

The other day I finished re-reading The Great Influenza, which I originally read early in the century when I was still teaching. I had used influenza, the virus as a critical part of explaining the relationship between evolution, genetics and disease. This book addresses all of those issues. Influenza is an RNA virus, as isContinue reading “The Great Influenza”

Looking for unusual birds

The other day Susan and I went out in search of Dickcissel and Henslow’s Sparrow, which we found along with a lot of other things. We stopped to look at Turkey Vultures in the road then we saw a doe with three fawns. We’re used to seeing lots of Northern Mockingbirds when we visit theContinue reading “Looking for unusual birds”

Father’s Day 2026

Over the years I have known a lot of great fathers, some in my family, some were friends. Four high school friends who all live in or near Ann Arbor. Steve in the upper left, me in the upper right and the two Tom’s below. We graduated 57 years ago and have been friends sinceContinue reading “Father’s Day 2026”