Watching Insects

June 20, 2009
Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)

Last year I got a brief glimpse of a hairstreak in Macon County, but did something I usually remember to avoid – I tried to get a closer look without using my camera. When it flushed, I had missed getting both a good look and a photograph taken from a distance. As a result, I had no idea what I had seen. I still don't, even though I got a lifer hairstreak in Macon County this week when we returned to look for hairstreaks.

Last weekend, I came home with good images of an Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii). But from what I remember from the glimpse I got last year, this isn't the species I saw on June 22, 2008.

I also saw a Swamp Metalmark (Calephelis muticum), which was kind of a surprise.

When I got home, I managed to succeed at something I failed at last year – a photo of a firefly in flight.

June 19, 2009
Springtails (Collembola Entomobryidae)

Decided to take photos of an ant nest in our yard, but immediately got distracted by the springtails crawling over the stone / sand patio.