Show your Bugs and Critters

[Manixguy@1994]

Sometimes my get as close as possible approach to photographing wildlife is ill advised but thankfully it didn't go as wrong as it could this day.

Mike , that’s good news . I don’t think I could have taken that shot , those little guys are cute but wow that spray is bad news . MG2

[Manixguy@1994]

Snow Geese at Spring Lake yesterday. MG2

[JSumm]

Snow Geese at Spring Lake yesterday. MG2

Oh my! Beautiful and frightening. I had a few run ins with geese as a kid. They still haunt my dreams to this day.

[Manixguy@1994]

Snow Geese at Spring Lake yesterday. MG2

Oh my! Beautiful and frightening. I had a few run ins with geese as a kid. They still haunt my dreams to this day.

Yep ! Never go near nesting Geese , they are very territorial. 0002

[James Y]

A stick insect on my gate (this was the best image I could take of it). I see them around my yard every now and again. They’re always welcome. Usually, their legs are much longer or more exposed than this fella’s.





Jim

[Manixguy@1994]

A stick insect on my gate (this was the best image I could take of it). I see them around my yard every now and again. They’re always welcome. Usually, their legs are much longer or more exposed than this fella’s.





Jim

We have Walking Sticks too in Illinois , they are similar to the Praying Mantis subsisting on other insects . Ours are usually a dark brown to blend in with bark in trees . Thanks for posting they are an unusual insect . MG2

[RustyIron]

Spotted this gal poaching my wisteria this afternoon.

[cabfrank]

Old pics, but this dude was just chillin' in our Camellia.

[Manixguy@1994]

IMG-20140803-01674.jpgIMG-20140803-01673.jpgOld pics, but this dude was just chillin' in our Camellia.

Wow , I have never seen a Mantis this color , in Illinois ours are brownish green or green . Very interesting . Thanks for sharing . MG2

[Manixguy@1994]

Spotted this gal poaching my wisteria this afternoon.

IMG_5389.jpeg

Love Bees , a few years back we had a swarm at the top of one of our trees . Scouts finally found a place for a new nest and they were gone as quickly as they appeared . I helped a beekeeper growin up and brother-in-law raised bees for years . Our house always had great local honey . MG2

[cabfrank]

Yeah, MG, I've usually seen green ones before too. Interesting little guys, they are.

[Manixguy@1994]

Lepoard Frog visiting pond . MG2

[Manixguy@1994]

Wolf Spider today MG2

[Manixguy@1994]

First Bee of the year. MG2

[Mushroom]

Lepoard Frog visiting pond . MG2

That’s a toad. It looks like an American Toad to me. They’re very common here in the warmer months.

[Manixguy@1994]

Lepoard Frog visiting pond . MG2

That’s a toad. It looks like an American Toad to me. They’re very common here in the warmer months.

No it’s a Leopard Frog hiding in rocks in my pond . I have lots of toads and Tree Frogs .

[Mushroom]

I come across a lot of wildlife and critters when I’m out hiking or on the kayak. I have a lot of photos I can share but I’ll start with these few for now.

First is a newly hatched painted turtle I caught while it was sunbathing on a patch of marsh grass.


Next was a mute swan that was nesting nearby where I found the turtle.


Lastly was a northern water snake that came up for some air just a few feet from where I was fishing.

[Manixguy@1994]

Beautiful pictures! Snake picture is awesome , great shot ! MG2

[JSumm]

First is a newly hatched painted turtle I caught while it was sunbathing on a patch of marsh grass.

I love finding those little turtles. As my little one used to say "They are so cute."

[Manixguy@1994]

First Stink Bug of the year in back of Polaris all alone , so sad . I named him Kevin . MG2