Despite many hundreds of flowers blooming on our prairie the most Monarchs we have seen in one day is two.  The Eastern population of Monarchs is down 70+% in some areas, and the Western population is down even more.  We photograph butterflies every week, and have been doing so for many years. We are seeing a similar decline in may species of  butterflies.  We do not know why, but this trend is very concerning.

 

 DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES.

 Mississippi backwater pond where we found many Dragonflies & Damselflies.

 Halloween Pennant.

 Pondhawk:  Female & Male.

 Male Widow Skimmer.

 Dot-tailed Whiteface.

 Male & Female Bluet Damselflies.  Damselflies are more delicate than dragonflies and keep their wings folded above their tail.  The Bluet family has over a dozen species that look almost identical.  To see more Dragons & Damsel click on July 2022 on the right side menu.

 Jewelwing.

 Mating Bluet Damselflies.

 LeRoy bike trail prairie West of Park today.  Butterfly Weed, Purple Prairie Clover, Lead Plant, Compass Plant, Compass Flower, Early Sunflower, Hairstreak on Black-eyed Susan, Rattlesnake Master, Male Widow Skimmer Dragonfly, White Indigo.