Green Darner Dragonfly - April 23, 2008

As I’m walking back to work from lunch, I spy these green darner dragonflies mating. They are strikingly beautiful! They are quite fierce in their aquatic stage nymph stage.

Miner Bees Mating - April 6, 2008

Miner Bees Mating - April 6, 2008, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

As I’m walking by the base of Turtle Hill to check out the wetland burn at main camp I spy these miner bees in what I guess to be a mating ball.

The hole to the right is a miner bee’s burrow.

Toads calling and mating - May 1, 2007

Friedenswald’s staff are on a day retreat in a bed and breakfast in Middlebury, Indiana, when we hear toads calling.

A male and female find each other.

 

 

This male is still hopefully calling.

I love the way this guy’s throat expands as he calls.

Large Abdomen Insects on Upper Flat - April 13 2006

Large Abdomin Insect on Upper FlatOriginally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

I see these insects frequently in the open grassy areas of the upper flat. It seems like I see them mostly in the fall. I don’t know what these are, but their abdomen is huge!! I love the bumpy antennae.

Here’s a mating pair.

Mating Ground(Miner/Digger)bees on Upper Flat - March 25 2007

Mating Ground bees #3 on Upper Flat - March 25 2007Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Mounds from these solitary miner bees (a.k.a. digger or sand) are all over the ground again. These bees are swarming all over the ground. This is the first time I’ve seen them actually mating.

Ground bees are one of the polinators of the early wildflowers found here at camp.

FYI:  Male bees (all species) can’t sting.