Owner: Midwestern Wilderness URL:http://midwesternwilderness.blogspot.com Join Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 08:48:53 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Photoblogging the wild Midwestern United States. Mostly about birds, mostly from Iowa... but supplemented with nature photos from all over. Site statistics:Click here
Yellow Jacket vs. Orb-Weaver Spider 2007-09-10 22:03:00 Normally I post photos first and commentary second. However, because my wife found the following series of photos somewhat disgusting, I thought I'd put a little disclaimer before the photos. WARNING: if you continue to scroll down, you may see some explicit bug-on-bug carnage!During my yard work on Saturday I stumbled upon a yellow jacket writhing around with a common orb-weaver spider in the spider's web. Naturally, I thought the yellow jacket had become tangled and was soon-to-be another dead bug in a spider's web. However, after watching for a few moments, I realized that it was the yellow jacket that seemed to be in control of the situation. In fact, I started to get the impression that the yellow jacket had attacked the spider! Not surprisingly, the first thing that ran through my mind was "where's the camera?" By the time I got the camera and got back to the battle, it had moved to the deck floor.In this first photo, you can see that the yellow jacket has wasted no time in t Read more:Yellow
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Green Thumb Sunday - We Planted a Tree! 2007-09-09 16:08:00 Green ThumbSunday
JoinWe went to the store today to buy some things for the yard (Sheperd's hook, bird seed, etc.), and came home with this tree. Why? Because the proprietor had lost the tag and had no idea what tree it was or how much it cost! So he gave us "the mystery tree" for $15! I'm pretty sure it's a Yoshino Cherry (although it could be a Kwanzan Cherry), so my wife and I aren't too worried about it. But, neither of us are experts, so we don't know for sure what it is, so until it gets some fruit or nuts or flowers on it, it will remain "the mystery tree!" Here's the leaf just in case any of you tree experts can tell me what tree I have. Any suggestions? Read more:Green
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Northern Shoveler 2007-09-08 01:11:00 Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata - also known as le canard souchet (French), Slobeend (Dutch), Löffelente (Germany), Mestolone (Italian), Pato chucara (Spanish), Skedand (Swedish), Shirokonoska (Russian).Although it's not entirely clear from the above photos, these ducks have large shovel-like bills (hence, the name). The male, of course, is the colorful one, while the female is the dull brown.In the western portions of the Midwest, shovelers are found all summer. In the middle and eastern parts of the Midwest, shovelers are only found during migration (which is when I got this shot).Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D Sigma Lens 70-300mm Lens on March 24, 2007 at Lock and Dam 14, LeClaire, Iowa. Read more:Northern
Photo Hunt - Eastern Meadowlark 2007-09-07 12:32:00 Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna - also known as Sturnelle des prés (French), Triguera común (Spanish).This week's theme for Photo
Hunt is "music." Well, of all the birds that are common here in Eastern Iowa, the song of the Eastern Meadowlark is definitely my favorite. It is absolutely "music" to my ears whenever I hear it out in the fields. I also have an Audubon clock and the Eastern Meadowlark is the 6 o'clock song. Thus, I wake up to this song every morning!If you haven't heard the Eastern Meadowlark, follow this link to the Cornell Ornithology page and click "listen to the songs of this species."And, as an FYI to those who may not be familiar with the Eastern Meadowlark: Both males and females look similar, identified by the striking yellow chest with the black 'V'. Very similar to the Western Meadowlark. The Eastern Meadowlark is listed as a year-round visitor to the southeastern part of the Midwest, but I've only seen them in the summer.Taken with the Canon Digital Read more:Eastern
Photo Hunt - Common House Fly 2007-08-31 20:35:00 Common House
Fly - Musca domestica - also known as Mouche domestique (French), musca domestica (Spanish), mosca domestica (Italian), Husflugan (Swedish).This week's theme for Photo
Hunt is "dirty." What's dirtier than a House Fly? Read more:Common
Thanks! 2007-08-31 20:20:00 I want to thank everybody for stopping by and commenting over the past few weeks. We were on vacation and then we had two deaths in the family (one a relative, one a pet). So, I haven't had time to post or come visit your blogs. I truly appreciate everyone stopping by regardless of my lack of participation lately. Read more:Thanks
Photo Hunter - Stinkhorn 2007-08-04 09:44:00 This week's theme is "funky."Stinkhorn - Mutinus caninus.I saw TNChick has a pic of some moldy food from her refrigerator as her "funky" photo (she's obviously going with the "having an offensive smell; foul" definition of "funky." Well, I also have a "funky" fungus to share, only this one pops up in the backyard from time to time. It's called a "stinkhorn" and it is super stinky. See the flies? Blech! But, according to the guys at Fungal Jungal, it's edible! No thanks! The life-cycle of this stinker is also about 24 hours. You'll see no trace of it one day, the next day have a 3 or 4 inch smelly, orange mushroom, and the next day see no trace of it.Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens in Davenport, Iowa on June 9, 2007. Read more:Photo
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Photo Hunt - Red- Bellied Woodpecker 2007-07-28 08:54:00 This week's theme is "creative." The above is a Red-Bellied Woodpecker
, named such because of a nearly unnoticeable red spot on his belly. Red-Bellied Woodpeckers are actually easier to identify by the red stripe on the top of their head that gives them the look of having a red mohawk. The picture above, however, shows the red on the bottom of his head - or does it? This "creative" woodpecker has turned his head nearly 180 degrees to the side and flipped his head upside down to get his bill into a spot he apparently couldn't get into previously. Very creative, for a bird.Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel T / 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens on January 27, 2007 in Davenport, Iowa. Read more:Photo
New Kitten! 2007-07-26 19:16:00 I haven't posted in awhile because I've been busy with work, etc. Haven't been able to get out with my camera, either. But, we got a new kitten last week and he's no bigger than my cell phone! He would have been perfect for last week's Photo Hunt (the theme was "Tiny"). Read more:Kitten
Rose - Rio Samba 2007-07-15 08:50:00 Rose - Rio Samba
.From the Hybrid Tea group of roses, this rose is an interesting combination of yellow and pink.Green Thumb SundayJoin
Photo Hunt - Shadow 2007-07-14 10:45:00 This week's theme is "shadow." Admittedly, the above photo is of a silhouetted Mourning Dove and house with the sun setting in the background. But, of course, the silhouette in the above is created by the objects' own shadow, is it not? I might need a ruling from the powers-that-be... Is this an acceptable image for "shadow"? Read more:Photo
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Chipping Sparrow 2007-07-13 17:00:00 Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina - also known as Le bruant familier (French), Musboomgors (Dutch), Schwirrammer (German), Passero cinguettante (Italian), Chimbito Común (Spanish), Tjippsparv (Swedish).The Chipping Sparrow is a very common sparrow throughout the contiguous United States during the summer months. The picture above is of the Chipping Sparrow in its breeding plumage (because it spends the winter, non-breeding months in South America, North Americans are not likely to see the Chipping Sparrow in its duller, winter colors).Males and females look similarly.Similar species: American Tree Sparrow.Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens on May 28, 2007 in Davenport, Iowa.Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina bruant familier Musboomgors Schwirrammer Passero cinguettante Chimbito Común Tjippsparv Canon Digital Rebel XT 350D Sigma Lens 70-300mm Davenport Iowa
Eastern Kingbird 2007-07-12 20:21:00 Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus - also known as Le tyran tritri (French), Koningstiran (Dutch), Schieferrücken - Königstyrann (German), Tiranno orientale (Italian), Tirano Oriental (Spanish), östlig kungstyrann (Swedish).Well, this bird certainly has the coolest scientific name with "Tyrannus tyrannus." I must admit, also, that I thought at first glance this was a swallow of some sort, and I only snapped 4 or 5 pictures. When I got home I noticed the longer bill and the white-tipped tail feathers. The people over at WhatBird helped me identify him as the Eastern Kingbird, which is in the flycatcher family, not the swallow/swift/martin family.The Eastern Kingbird can be found in almost all of the continental United States and most of Canada - but only in the summer. During the summer, however, it is one of the most widespread and common species (although this is the first and only time I've ever noticed them!).Males and females look similar.Take a look at the Northern Rough-Win Read more:Eastern
Cedar Waxwing 2007-07-10 07:10:00 Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum - also known as Jaseur d' Amérique (French), Ampelis Americano (Spanish), Picotera (Spanish), Chinito (Spanish), Cederpestvogel (Dutch), Zedernseidenschwanz (German).A very pretty bird that can be found in Iowa and much of the Midwest year-round. Although the bird is pretty unique in look (sleek, black mask, yellow-tipped tail, red tips on some back feathers), from afar it appeared to be just a plain, brownish-yellowish bird.Males and females look similar.Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens on July 4, 2007 in Oak Run (Dahinda), Illinois.Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum Jaseur d' Amérique Ampelis Americano Picotera Chinito Cederpestvogel Zedernseidenschwanz Canon Digital Rebel XT 350D 70-300mm Lens Oak Run Dahinda Illinois Oak+Run Read more:Cedar
Turkey Vulture 2007-07-09 13:22:00 Turkey Vulture
- Cathartes aura - also known as Urubu à tête rouge (French), Vautour (French), Zopilote Aura (Spanish), Aura cabecirroja (Spanish), Aura Gallipavo (Spanish), Kalkoengier (Dutch), Truthahngeier (German), Avvoltoio collorosso (Italian), Kalkongam (Swedish).A very interesting (and HUGE) bird, the Turkey Vulture is almost shocking when seen "in person." The size and the look of this bird are quite striking when one is out taking pictures of larks and buntings!Via Cornell: The Turkey Vulture uses its sense of smell to locate carrion. The part of its brain responsible for processing smells is particularly large, compared to other birds. Its heightened ability to detect odors allows it to find dead animals below a forest canopy. Very cool!Males and females look similarly (females a bit larger).The Turkey Vulture is found in Iowa and the Midwest throughout the summer, and can be found in the Southern US (and parts of the southern-most areas of the Midwest) all year long.Taken Read more:Turkey
Rose - Ultimate Pink 2007-07-08 10:31:00 Rose - Ultimate
Pink.My father has between 40 and 50 unique roses in his garden. This particular rose is known as "Ultimate Pink."Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens on June 9, 2007 in Davenport, Iowa.Green Thumb SundayJoin
Fake Ant - Photo Hunter 2007-07-07 11:48:00 This week's theme is "Fake." It was a little tough for me to come up with something "fake" that I wanted to put on the blog, considering my blog is about real animals, insects, plants, etc. in nature.In any event, the people who owned this house before me left this big, metal, fake ant in the garden. I'm surprised I left it in the garden (I have a hard time throwing things away). Read more:Photo
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Paper Wasp 2007-07-03 16:36:00 Paper Wasp - Polistes sp. - I believe this particular Paper Wasp is Polistes fuscatus, but it could be Polistes Exclamans, or possibly a third variety. If you know, please comment or email me. The first two pictures are of the Paper Wasp "foraging" in my day lilies. In the second picture especially, you can see his wings and back covered in pollen, thus contributing to the healthiness of my day lilies.According to mulitple sources, paper wasps gather fibers from dead wood and plants, chew them up, mix them with saliva, and make the "paper" for their nests. The second two photographs seem to show this process. The wasp proceeded to walk up and down the old fence in our yard, and in the fourth picture appears to be stripping a thin piece of wood from the fence.Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens on July 1, 2007 in Davenport, Iowa.paper wasp Canon Digital Rebel XT 350 D Sigma 70-300mm Lens Davenport Iowa
Northern Rough-Winged Swallow Perched 2007-07-02 21:03:00 Rough-Winged
Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis - also known as Hirondelle à ailes hérissées (French), Golondrina ala de sierra (Spanish), Golondrina alirraspos (Spanish), Norteña (Spanish).Although the image is a bit soft, I like the fact that he appears to be noticing me as I take his picture.A plain brown bird that summers throughout the contiguous United States, the Rough-Winged Swallow is so-named because of rough hooks on the outer parts of his wings.Males and females looks similar.See a picture of the Northern
Rough-Winged Swallow in flight.Compare the different colors of the Barn Swallow.Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens on June 23, 2007 on Smith's Island at Lock and Dam 14 in Davenport, Iowa.Rough-Winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Hirondelle à ailes hérissées Golondrina ala de sierra alirraspos Norteña Canon Digital Rebel XT 350D Sigma 70-300mm Lens Davenport Iowa bird photograph Read more:Rough
Larkspur - "Guardian Blue" 2007-06-24 15:05:00 Larkspur - Delphinium elatumDepending on what you read, the Guardian
Blue Larkspur is either a perennial or a bi-annual. I've also seen it referred to commonly as "Guardian Blue" or "Candle Blue Shades."Taken June 16, 2007 with the Canon Digital Rebel XT 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens in Davenport, Iowa. This has been a presentation of:Green Thumb SundayJoin
Barn Swallow 2007-06-23 18:54:00 Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica - also known as the Hirondelle rustique (French), hirondelle de cheminée (French), Hirondelle des granges (French), Boerenzwaluw (Dutch), Rauchschwalbe (German), Rondine (Italian), Golondrina ranchera (Spanish) , Golondrina tijerela (Spanish), Golondrina común (Spanish), Ladusvala (Swedish), Derevenskaya Lastochka (Russian).Recognizable by its forked tail and the irratic nature ofits flight, the Barn Swallow's range goes from Alaska and Northern Canada all the way to the southern tip of South America (basically the entire area of both Americas except for the tundra). Barn Swallows can also be found in Africa and Europe.Although historically they made their homes in caves, they now alost exclusively make their homes in the sides of man-made structures (barns, large piles of dirt from excavation projects, etc.).Males and females look similar, both possessing the forked tail (not pictured) and the blue/orange ombination on the head, back and throat.Contra
Iowa Sunset 2007-06-20 20:29:00 Taken June 1, 2007 with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens in Davenport, Iowa. Read more:Sunset
Flower Flies on Spiderwort 2007-06-11 20:38:00 Flower Fly - from the Family Syrphidae (there are over 200 genera and 5,000 species).Spiderwort - from the Genus Tradescantia (there are about 70 species).At first I thought these little guys were honey bees, but their big red eyes made me think they might be some sort of a fly. Well, it turns out they are flower flies (also known as "hoverflies" and "syrphid flies"), but it's not because they have big red eyes - it's their wings. Bees have four wings while flies only have two. Their resemblence to bees merely serves as a form of protection from predators.The spiderwort is a great natural wildflower that is a perennial in Iowa (actually, its range extends from Canada to Argentina). We found a small clump of it in a wooded area many years ago, transplanted a small stalk back home, and now have it growing in huge clumps in the yards of many of my relatives. Because it spreads, it is often considered a weed. How a beautiful purple flower that likes to come up every year in new places co Read more:Flies
Moved 2007-09-20 07:29:00 I've moved the blog to Iowa Voice. It's the exact same blog, just a new domain! Please come visit and update your links / blogrolls!Thanks!
Photo Hunt - American Goldfinch 2007-09-14 19:54:00 American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis - also known as the Eastern Goldfinch (here in Iowa, anyway), Chardonneret jaune (French), Dominiquito viajero (Spanish), Dominiquito triste (Spanish).This week's theme is "plastic," another difficult one for a nature blog. But I managed. Six American Goldfinches on two "plastic" bird feeders.One of my all-time favorite birds, the American Goldfinch (we call them the "Eastern Goldfinch" around here) is very abundant in Iowa year-round. Goldfinches specifically like thistle and will flock to thistle feeders in great numbers (see above) (at one point last summer I counted 25 Goldfinches at the feeder at one time).Easily identified by their gold color and small stature, the male distinguishes himself from the female by donning a black cap. The female is without the cap. In the winter, the male molts and loses the cap, thus leaving his head all gold (similar to the female's head during the summer time). However, the female also molts as winter appro Read more:Photo
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Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Buttonbush 2007-09-14 08:06:00 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
- Papilio glaucus - also known as Tiger Swallowtail.Buttonbush - Cephalanthus occidentalis.After all the spider photos I've put up lately, I thought maybe it was time for a few butterfly pictures.According to Discover Life, both male and females of this species have the yellow form exhibited above (females also have a dark form), but its the females that have the many iridescent blue scales with orange spots (although some of the photos of males I have seen have a little bit of the blue). Anyway, I would say this is the female because of the large amount of blue scales combined with the orange spots.Found throughout the Central and Eastern United States, from the Atlantic Ocean to Colorado, and from Florida to Maine (also found in Canada and certain areas of Central Mexico).I don't have an ID on the flower, yet. If anyone knows, please drop me a line.Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm (Macro) Lens on August 7, 2007 on the Green Read more:Eastern
Orb-Weaver Spider: The Marionette 2007-09-12 21:11:00 I believe this is another spider from the Orb-Weaver
family of spiders. The pictures below are why I call this guy 'The Marionette.'In this one (above), you can just barely see the silk coming out of the spider's spinning gland on the bottom of his abdomen.Orb-weaver Spider
- Larinioides cornutus.Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D and the Sigma 70-300mm (Macro) Lens on July 17, 2007 in Davenport, Iowa.
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