Silent Echo

BugsBugsBugs

2007-08-08T03:28:24Z

So sorry for the neglect....been buisy this summer. Kinda as usual.
Some photos uploaded to Flickr.

I've been buisy. Sorta.
So tired now.
Must sleep.

I've joing Flickr

2007-01-05T05:31:51Z

Yep, I joined the craze. I am on Flickr. I LOVE the notes option. I have just put a bunch of my aquaium photos up there.

Ok...the flickr htm 'badge' is not working...because its CSS NOT HTML...and I guess livejournal dosent like CSS...

Just go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/84825890@N00/

sorry

2006-12-04T21:57:52Z

Sorry for the downtime folks. I was a few hours late updating my CC info and subscription got bounced. Now my host is refusing to let me pay my subscription payment.

Should be resolved tomorow.

Eather that or I find a new host.
*growel*

Don't mess with me!

2006-09-21T01:38:00Z

Went to see if I could find any swallowtail cristalists but didn't. Found tones of caterpillars tho.

Regular shot. They are kinda ugly....disguised to look like bird dropings, hopefully to keep them from being eaten and with the numbers I've seen out there lately it really works.

When they get scared they have these antena like things that pop out of their head to scare the preditor off. And they stink....they really stink....

PS: the antena things do go back in once the caterpillar feals safe again.
All it took was a little light poke from my finger to get this guys out and he stayed posed nicely for me to get some good shots. Nice caterpillar. Very stinky tho.....still...

Articles

2006-09-16T00:57:51Z

I wrote some more articles.

Prity much all for the OVPA (Ontario Vernal Pool Association) except for the checklist. That was just for work.

Dragonfly Etiquette: http://www.silentecho.org/temp/DragonflyEtiquetteSepedits.pdf

Dragonfly Checklist for Halton Region: http://www.silentecho.org/temp/DamselflyandDragonflyChecklistHalton.pdf

And in case you missed it last time the older one(done for the Hamiltion Naturalist Club newsletter) Significant Ode Records for Halton Region in 2005: http://www.silentecho.org/temp/Halton%20sig%20ode%20records%202005%20Van%20Ryswyk,%20Rothfels.pdf

The other two I don't feal right linking to at the moment. They will be published in the OVPAs fall newsletter and it is not yet out. I will post a link to them a few weeks after the newsletter has been circulated. (club members get first peek).

Photos from today

2006-08-29T02:58:05Z

Hapened uppon a cool caterpillar while chasing ok.

From the top, not quite as interesting (link now fixed, doh)

Took a tone of photos but am to tired to do more.
So yes, again I am totaly backloged in photos. I have tones and tones I could put up but just haven't had time to crop, frame ect.
Forgive. I'll eventualy get to it...

Photo Time!

2006-08-06T03:15:42Z

I had a good day today. Not just number of species seen but also good number of nice photos. New species for me too!! Exciting ones like the Giant Swallowtail!

I can't decide which of the following two I like better. One is a better angle and more in focus but the other is nicer, darker black.
http://www.silentecho.org/fauna/GiantSwallowtail-PapilioCresphontes-06Aug05-Second-03FRAMED.jpg

http://www.silentecho.org/fauna/GiantSwallowtail-PapilioCresphontes-06Aug05-Second-11FRAMED.jpg

I think the one necturing is a female and the one hovering behind her was the male. He stayed hovering like that for quite a long time, following her from flower to flower. He finaly gave up and went back to necturing as well.

http://www.silentecho.org/fauna/HummingbirdClearwing-HemarisThysbe-06Aug05-08FRAMED.jpg
I've seen a record number of them this year too...normaly only see one or two, but seen a handfull already.

This was a new species for me. Its a tiny Fritilary...less than half the size of most.

Another typical Hairstreak photo. :P

So ya, it was a good day overall. Warm and sunny.
I met a person who went to flemming just after me, that was cool. Sorta....I clambed up and he left probly thinking I was totaly not interested in him but really I just didnt know how to chit chat. I think I was also a bit distracted by the whole lack of shirt....(he was jogging befor he came over to chat). I kicked myself for the next hour or two wondering how I could get myself over all this sillyness and be a better socializer, not just with nice stangers but with people I see every day...that would be good.

But it worked out for the better because I stayed longer after that, kinda wishing he would come back, and then just as I was about to go later I saw the Giant Swallowtail. So that totaly made my day. Last year I was totaly starting to wonder if I conger these things into being because so very often I just think about wishing to see one and not so long later I do. Just providence really...He grants me most things I wish to see. Still havent found any Silvery Checkerspot caterpillars again but theres probly something to learn from that, or its just beter for me.

a few

2006-07-26T04:27:25Z

I only took water pictures today. Odd for me.

Grindstone creek:

Waterfall:
http://www.silentecho.org/temp/fieldworkWaterdown-06Jul25%20031s.jpg

More water, closser tho.
http://www.silentecho.org/temp/fieldworkWaterdown-06Jul25%20008s.jpg

Thankfully we got the pictures and back to the car befor the cloudburst thunderstorm opened up.

Photo Time!

2006-07-07T04:00:07Z

Apologies to friends pages, crosposted. Photo dump time (many behind cuts).

From Tuesday evening after the meeting at Terra Cotta Conservation Area.

And another.

Typical Chalk-Fronted Corpral shot.

Duskys:

In Hand - Side view

Tail Close ups for identification.

Another typical resting on the rocks pose.

I think this one is my favorite find of the night. They are so beautifull. (most bluets are just black and blue, this one has nearly the whole rainbow, thus its name. Red/orange at the mouth then yellow, green, blue.)

I'm on the wronge side...it urks me. I wish I got a shot from the other side with the sun from the right way but he would not stay put as I moved.

And from above.

And the Swamp Spreadwing.This one would not sit still for a natural pose. And it was getting dark, I was getting tired and had run out of patience for slow sneeking.

Another really nice find of the night, and nice looking guy to. Hard to get a photo of due to the setting sun and their habit of staying over the water. Had to shed my shoes and wade to get some shots.

Thats all for now. Now I need to pack a bit, get a bit of sleep and hopefully leave befor noon tomorow so I can get it a tad of Odeing at the camp befor dark....and I need to get a new kayak paddle. Mind got lost in the shuffle back to me. *sad sigh* I could use a longer paddle but will miss the leash if I don't get it back.
Sleep? Whats sleep?

Prity Pictures, and other stuff too.

2006-06-27T02:50:34Z

Prity pictures first then I'll ease you into the more creapy looking things. ;P

My first Striped Hairstreak. (in Carls hand, I was to nerouse of losing it totaly so I netted it first.)

Some Ladies Tresses, I like these things. Carl spoted them first. They are one of his "Life Plants" So he was fairly excited.

Some nice catterpillar shots.

And on to the very cool find of the day! (creapyness ahead warning) ;P

Some Shadowdragon Exuvia (larva shells) we found on the shores of the Niagra River. Very cool find as eather way its totaly out of its range. No mater what one they are. Now immature dragonflies live underwater and befor turning into an adult they climb out of the water and shed the larval skin. This is what is left over. If we are lucky we find them and can use it to tell what species are using that waterbody. Often they are extreemly hard to tell apart but these guys have some very striking, unusual banding on them (and other features) that Carl and Colin were sure it is a totaly cool Shadowdragon. They need to key it out to be sure exactly which but eather way its cool.

Side Shot:

And a shot from above. See how the shell is empty? The adult is off hiding somewhere. This is an unusual species that only flies at dusk.

So cool!

Now I must sleep....

silentechoart @ 2006-06-23T23:44:00

2006-06-24T03:44:52Z

Photos! Protect your friends pages. :P
(crossposted)

Mary Bradshaws place (I don't think I spelt, or got the name, right) Just as the sun was setting. I loved the blues and purples. So rich and saturated with colour.

Its an old tobaco farm that she has converted to a wildflower nusery and a large section in the fields converted to prarie.

Midland Clubtail - From this afternoon, after departing from the camp. Stoped at a canoe launch and it was on the gravel pathway (moved to the solidago after I scared it). A very nice find for me.

Others of it:
In hand - Side View

Midland Clubtail Tails Closeup - Used to Identify

Hognosed Snake:

I love the paterns they have: http://www.silentecho.org/fauna/EasternHognosedSnake-HeterodonPlatirhinos-Framed2.jpg

Head Close up. When scared they flatten their neck like a cobra does, but they are unable to bite due to the position of their fangs, to far back to extend and bite. http://www.silentecho.org/fauna/EasternHognosedSnake-HeterodonPlatirhinos-Framed3.jpg

Again neet paterns. We found her again burrowing into the soil (Heather grabed her and pulled her out to look at), posibly to lay eggs. http://www.silentecho.org/fauna/EasternHognosedSnake-HeterodonPlatirhinos-Framed4.jpg

Moths:

Small Eyed Sphinx Moth : Not the prityest but cool with the angled wings. A little blurry because it was night and taken under the florecesnts.

One of the calico penants...I have more but didn't upload somehow: http://www.silentecho.org/fauna/CalicoPennant-CelithemisElisa-Female-06Jun21-FRAMED.jpg

I'm exaustend and need sleep now.
My own bed. SOOOOOOOO nice.

What did I upload again?

2006-06-15T02:30:59Z

Oh ya.
(crossposted from other journal too.)
My first ever Springtime Darner.

Not really a prity picture this time, just a diagnostic one or two. This is this.
My first darner of the season and first ever springtime darner...boy was he unco-operative...would not stop trembling so I took tones of photos and some turned out ok.

http://www.silentecho.org/fauna/SpringtimeDarner-BasiaeschnaJanata-06Jun14-TailsFRAMED.jpg

The tails are used to tell Darners apart. Each has uniquly shaped tail apendages.

I also donated tones of blood to the hungry mosquito cause. ...

Others from this week:

Your typical Red Spoted Purple Photo (my favorete Butterfly):

And lots dumped onto Bug Guide.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/56235

http://bugguide.net/node/view/56865

http://bugguide.net/node/view/54199

And many others...if you click Kaylee Skylyn (near bottom) then 'Images submited by this user'. All just diagnostic photos. Not really prity picutres. Just how to tell things apart.

They will eventualy be on my website to.
I just can't seem to get anything done lately....

Cross-posted photos

2006-05-09T02:49:05Z

Got some photos from today. Sadly the Dutchmans Breaches are all done and gone to seed at Crawford Lake already. But some cool stuff coming out.
Also posted in my personal journal.

http://www.silentecho.org/flora/RoseTwistedStalk-StreptopusRoseus-06MAR08-20FRAMED.jpg

http://www.silentecho.org/fauna/SpringAzure-CelastrinaLucia-06MAR08-7FRAMED.jpg

Me tried.
Thats all for now folks.

Flowers

2006-05-02T01:13:38Z

Flowers are out in full array, well have been for a few weeks I guess but some that I am especialy fond of have now emerged.

The Dutchmans Breeches are at their perfect peak right now.
I need to go back and get some better compositions tho...

Aquatic Viewers

2006-04-30T02:21:15Z

For anyone from OVPA looking for the instructions for the aquatic viewers click here.

I'll email them out to those who signed up tomorow or whenever I get the time this week. Sorry I didn't have print ups. Totaly forgot.
Me tired. Sleep now.

Salamandering last night!

2006-04-01T21:02:09Z

We went out sally hunting last night. Wasent as rainy as I would have liked (to have the salamanders moving) but we found one!

We walked for a long time befor finding him and couldnt get to his pond but oh well....I'm fairly sure I know what pond hes going to and we are going to try landowner contact...as sneeking onto their property last night felt a little to criminal. And would not be good for our reputation if we were caught or anything....

He looks more Jefferson like to me than he does Blue Spoted like...but I'm not going to try to call it. We went to the recovery team training workshop and Bogard had some of the yearlings we had colected as eggs last year. They were LJJs but to me they looked like Blue Spoteds! They were so covered with blue spots! so now I am not going to try and guess....cuz untill we get the DNA tests back we will not know. So this guy got the tip of his tail cut off for testing. He was right behind our office, Kim was gidy about that. That was kinda cool. Then we headed back to the van, double checked the pool in the middle of the lain and headed back to the office. Everyone wanted to go home! It was 10:30!! Prime movement time! (In my opinion!) so I said I was going to stay out. I stoped by 'C', had no luck. Got a little freeked out...the ponds there creeped me out because they look so deep and have so much wood in them. Creaped me out. So I didn't wander through the bush, and didnt find any.

Then I stoped by 'GJ' Woods, got back to the pond started to make a circle around it and heard some coyotes howling...got freeked out and headed back to the car. Strange thing was that that pond was still almost totaly iced over, the others were all ice free.

Then I stoped by 'M'. Prity much garanteed to find some little ones there. And I did. Very little ones. Looked like yearlings again. I took 3 tail tips, thats all the vials I had with me, THEN I come across the biggest one there. Yesh.... would have loved to get a sample of him as big ones are so rare there and I'm not sure why. I suspect there must be some sort of preditors eating them as some I come across have lighter looking tails and I suspect that they have lost their tail to a preditor (and the tail grows back).

Anyways...I'll stop rambling about crazy naturalist stuff.
Overall not a bad night.
Hope eventualy to find some at 'C' and 'GJ' tho.....and very very interested to see what the 'M' ones turn out to be!

Update will come

2006-03-11T16:02:45Z

I will have an update with my 2005 photos...but just not sure when.
I havent started yet so it will be a while. Hopefully befor things get buisy in the spring tho!
I've got a few projects on the go as well as a house to get is some semblence of order...

Photos on bugguide

2006-02-17T03:58:48Z

I just dumped a whole bunch of photos onto bugguide.net

Mostly Azures into the 'ID request' to hopefully get positivly identified. But also some Odes to beef up the 'guide' pages.

You can view my photos here: http://bugguide.net/bgimage/user/4820

Was so gun ho about uploading photos I didn't get any of my 05 batch identified tonight. Should have taken today as a sick day rather than risking my neck in that crapy weather and not getting anything done at work anyways....may take tomorow of to plow through my photo id...

the power went out for a few seconds here. Scared me. Have nightmairs of lightning taking out my hard drive befor I finish IDing all my 2005 photos. I plan to back up again once I have all of 2005 id properly...

Lighting in winter is freeky.

Pics

2006-02-12T02:52:00Z

Cool Caterpillar.
I think I got the ID right....

See his hairy little feet? How neet!

Kitty pictures

2006-02-04T23:53:55Z

Some of my handsome trouble maker:

Hes dear to my heart so thought I should spotlight him for once. Evne tho most visitors probly don't care. Heh.
He is handsome tho isent he?

Photos

2006-02-04T05:10:33Z

Ok...sorta neglected this journal for a long long time.
Lifes been distracting. Heres a few photos from the week of photo sorting and IDing(copies from earlyer posts in my personal journal):

Hah! I figured it out!
Spent most of my photo time on it tonight(monday) but I fianly identified it! Thanks to bugguide.net and its search function. I love browsing by thumbnails. Just love thumbnails. So glad they have that function. And thanks to the one guy who uploaded the one instar photo that looks like my guy, the rest of the instars of these guys look totaly diferent.

But I was determined to find out what it was and I did! Nearly gave up a few times but didn't!

Pritty picture!

And tonight I have joined BugGuide.net as I have been using/searching it for my caterpilar ID lately. Very handy.

I think I need more desk space...or just put more things away....Its the leaning tower of field guides right now. With my nature Journal on top. Doh! forgot to make sure I added the corect identification of the baskettails to it....check tomorow. Must sleep now.

YAY

2005-10-13T18:07:50Z

I (hopefuly) should have my internet at home within a week or so!
Yay!
*insert much joy here*

Hopefully will be set up on saterday, provided the landlords are home...SO hopefully I can do some uploads after that. But there is tones of unpacking to do still...and I need to get my Ode and Lep data entered and sent off befor christmas...

Stay tuned! ;)

Moving Update

2005-10-06T16:19:56Z

Little update: I'm moving on Saterday.

Found a place, not to far from work, but a little closer to church than I was.
Bonus: I don't have to watch Phase 2 of go up. (I hate watching subdivisions go in. And the resulting drive would have been horid.)
Bonus: the new place is on a horse farm.
Big Bonus: the new place has TWO PONDS in the horse pastures! (Now I am truly anxious to see what dragonflys they have AND if they have DAPHNIA in the ponds! I will be extatic if they have daphnia. Right now the closest daphnia pond I know of is in Mountsburg and they are not over abundant (but abundant enough) and they come with tones of duckweed (anoying!).

Moving happens saterday but I will not have internet for at least two weeks. Depends how things go. I would like it sooner rather than later but I also will probly have a number of expences to take care of.

Haven't been taking a whole lot of photos the last few weeks. To buisy preparing to move.

Must go eat lunch now....

Site is down

2005-09-14T16:05:23Z

My website is down.
Sorry all.

My own silly fault. I didn't update the nameservers in time when they warned me. All my internet stuff is at home and I kept forgetting it. And I don't have net at home right now. -_-

They are updated now but will take a day or two befor it cycles through and comes back online.

Its so anoying not having net at home, BUT it has let to me being much more productive around the house. Last night I got a bunch of sowing projects done I had put off for a year.

Ugh

2005-09-01T17:39:37Z

Ok...I will probly not be making many posts the next month, or more, (depending on the new rental costs ect) because the landlords, without warning, disconected my internet router. -_-

For those that do not know I am moving out by October 1st...latest. Truly Hopefully. (because the landlords are giving the place to their son)

I haven't made much progress with the backlog but I still am sorry that I cannot post any new things for quite some time now.