Author Archives: makielb

A cicada killer that nested at our driveway in 2017 on this date. These huge wasps are perhaps the most docile of the wasps and I equate finding them with when Art Fair happens in Ann Arbor, which is next week. On July 17, 2019 I photographed this Harpy Eagle in Panama. This was aContinue reading “Past and present”

After a long flight, Alexis, Simon, Camilla and Oscar arrived in Detroit at 9:30AM. Here’s Oscar eating one of his favorite foods – pickled green beans (I have four jars that I prepared especially for him. And Camilla listening to a story on her iPad after dinner. We all sat outside for a while whenContinue reading “Family has arrived”

Mike and I went to Pt. Mouillee today looking for a Common Redshank, a Eurasian shorebird that was found yesterday. We met others and scanned the mudflats, without luck. There were a lot of shorebirds and Caspian Terns. We watched Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, both species in the same genus (Tringa) as our target. So,Continue reading “In search of a rare bird”

For weeks now we have been using mint from the garden for cooking and salads. But now the is so much mint that we have started drying it. We have left some that has started to flower because of the pollinating insects that are attracted to them. The dill has also started to flower. IContinue reading “Spending time in the garden”

We spent this morning at the Eddy Discovery Center in western Washtenaw County, Michigan. We walked through the prairie trail then down to the bog. It was nice finding both the male and female of Libellula cyanea, Spangled skimmer in the prairie. This is the trail map for the main trails at the Discovery Center.Continue reading “Orchids and insects at Eddy bog trail”

The weekly pandemic statistics. Both cases and deaths are decreasing in the US. Europe and Brazil are increasing in the number of cases. This Least-marked euchlaena was one of the new recent moth additions for the year. Morrison’s pero was another recent addition. Saddled heterocampa was a delightful addition to the year moth total. AnContinue reading “Another day filled with moths and orchids”

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 anContinue reading “Insects and orchids”

The blue flag are now in bloom between the cabin and the point. But when walking to the point it’s hard to miss all of the shrubs and small trees with leaves chewed on by some insect. The culprit is a small green weevil, Polydrusus formosus. Not only did we find many individuals, but alsoContinue reading “Botany, bugs and wood”

It’s time to get the garden ready for the heat that’s coming. Weeding, watering getting the water-bath filled for birds. Also picking some dill and basil for meals. This part of the garden is in shade for part of the day and is still doing quite well. Peppers, tomatoes and eggplants are all in flower.Continue reading “Back in the garden”

We stopped by our friend Edie’s garden today. She has spectacular flower and vegetable beds. Lots of nice tomato plants, eggplants, peas, garlic and lettuce. The two raised beds in front of me were filled with lettuce and arugula that needed picking. We got to take enough with us for several salads. I think theContinue reading “Another garden in Ann Arbor”