#norfolkwild

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

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

Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) in Waterford Ponds, a few weeks ago. The Males are much smaller than the Females in this species of Spider and you can just see a Male below the Female in these photos. The Male takes great care, approaching the Female in her web, so as not to trigger her predatory instincts. Once mating is over, the Male often dies, becoming a meal for the Female. . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #spiders_of_the_world #argiope #argiopeaurantia #yellowgardenspider #spider #ontariospiders #spiderweb #macro_highlight #macro_holic #norfolkwild #norfolkcountyontario #blognorfolk #waterfordponds #waterfordontario (at Waterford Ponds) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFy80f3grfc/?igshid=14s5r0zug4g34

A Planthopper (Family Delphacidae) in my backyard, June 2018. This individual doesn't have the fully functioning large wings normally associated with a Planthopper adult (similar to my discussion of nymphal Grasshoppers, yesterday), but it's actually an adult. Many species of Delphacidae have two forms of adult: one with short wings that can't fly (pictured here) and one that develops long wings and is capable of flight. Nymphs develop into the long-winged flying form in response to crowding, thus aiding the species' dispersal across a habitat. . . . . . . . #delphacidae #planthopper #norfolkcounty #polymorphism #brachypterous #gardenbugs #macrowildlife #macrophotography #insectphotography #insectsofinstagram #arthropodsofinstagram #gardeninsects #gardenwildlife #backyardbugs #norfolkwild #blognorfolk #simcoeontario (at Simcoe, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBD0odegG6M/?igshid=r57tjeyky1km