#blognorfolk

North American Spur-throated Grasshopper (Melanoplus sp.) in my backyard, September 2018. Grasshoppers in this genus feed on many different kinds of grass and other plants, occasionally feeding on fruits or even tree bark. . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #melanoplus #grasshopper #spurthroatedgrasshopper #grasshoppers #orthoptera #naturephotography #macrophotography #entomology #norfolkwild #blognorfolk #backyardgarden #simcoeontario #norfolkcountyca (at Simcoe, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjP4IolO9qq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Transverse-Banded Flower Fly (Eristalis transversa), in my backyard, September 2018. These beautiful flies visit many different kinds of flowers in a variety of habitats, and are important pollinators. Larvae of this species are unknown. . . . For more photos and natural history check out my blog at norfolknaturalist.ca. . . . #nature #ontario #transversebandedflowerfly #eristalis #eristalistransversa #flowerflies #syrphidae #diptera #dipteraofinstagram #macrophotography #blognorfolk #norfolkwild #norfolkphotographer (at Simcoe, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjDBL5kO5O7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A New Post is up on my blog at norfolknaturalist.ca (link in profile). It's about my recent hike and the nature sightings and observations along the way! . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #muteswan #swanphotography #naturephotography #nature_photo #canadianwildlife #longpointtrail #longpointontario #norfolknaturalist #norfolkwild #blognorfolk #gonorfolk #scienceblogging #natureblogger #wildlifephotographs #natureobsession #natureobservation #naturewriter (at Long Point National Biosphere) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQdSnpCAVZw/?utm_medium=tumblr

One of my most exciting recent sightings was this American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) spotted in Long Point this month. This was a species of bird that I always assumed I would never see, but all it takes is being at the right place at the right time. These secretive herons stalk wetlands for fish, amphibians, reptiles and insects. . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #americanbittern #bittern #botaurus #botauruslentiginosus #wetlandbirds #marshbird #herons #camouflage #ontarionaturephotography #longpoint #longpointbirds #blognorfolk #norfolkwild #norfolkontario (at Long Point, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd9m4o3M2nq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) in Long Point this month. Herons, like all Birds, are surprisingly light because of hollow, lightweight bones among other adaptations. Although Herons can be over a meter tall and have 2 meter wingspans they weigh a maximum of about 6 pounds. . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #greatblueheron #heron #heronsofinstagram #ardeaherodias #ardea #ardeidae #blueheron #heronphotography #heronphoto #birdsextreme #birdsinflightphotography #nature_obsession #wildlifephotos #longpointontario #spottedinlongpoint #norfolkwild #blognorfolk #gonorfolk #birdfact #beautifulnaturephotography (at Long Point National Biosphere) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQau06xgcz1/?utm_medium=tumblr

Isabella Tiger Moth Caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella) on the Lynn Valley Trail, April 2019. If you see these Caterpillars (also known as Woolly Bears) this early in the year, they have spent the Winter as Caterpillars in sheltered locations, such as under rocks or in the bark of fallen trees. During the Spring, they'll feed on a variety of plants until they're ready to spin cocoons and transform into Adult Moths. . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #pyrrharctia #pyrrharctiaisabella #woollybear #woollybearcaterpillar #fuzzycaterpillar #caterpillar_daily #nationalwildlifeweek #nationalwildlifeweekcanada #mothsofontario #insects_of_our_world #macrocaterpillar #macro_vision #lynnvalleytrail #blognorfolk (at Lynn Valley Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNVGj03gOb9/?igshid=xm0pq5lyjqh2

Damsel Bug (Nabis roseipennis) on my Parents' Farm, April 2018. Damsel Bugs are small delicate-looking insects but they are also formidable predators, consuming basically any insect prey smaller than themselves. Some species are common in farm ecosystems, feeding on many pest species. . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #damselbug #nabis #nabidae #heteroptera #truebug #truebugsofinstagram #macrobug #macroinsect #insects #norfolkcountyontario #blognorfolk #agroecosystem (at Norfolk County, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNHkrI1g9-s/?igshid=e36i2av1nm8a

Winter Stonefly (Family Taeniopterygidae) on the Lynn Valley Trail, February 2020. Because most of the growth and feeding takes place during the larval phase (which lives underwater) adult Stoneflies only occasionally feed, with some species eating pollen or other plant products. . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #stonefly #winterstonefly #taeniopterygidae #plecoptera #aquaticinsects #aquaticinvertebrates #blognorfolk #norfolkwild #lynnvalleytrail #macro_delight #macrophotographylove (at Lynn Valley Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLG7wo9g5aQ/?igshid=6ser133bnj0g