insects

Category

By Hummers of 2 Sorts

We are all familiar with a ruby-throated hummingbird … as it dashes madly about and the whir of its wings is quite distinct. There is another hummer at Jordan Lake and that is the hummingbird moth. You have to get pretty close to the moth to realize it is an insect and not a bird! I managed to catch both of these critters in the past couple of weeks and so wanted to share them with you. Enjoy their beauty and their zipping sipping flight! Moncure, NC, July 2025

ruby-throated hummingbird & hummingbird moth

By American Rubyspot

Jordan Lake. This damselfly is well named: American rubyspot. It is a new addition to my insect life list. The damselflies are tiny, delicate and just as ferocious hunters as their bigger cousins the dragonflies.

By Busy Bee

Jordan Lake. The phrase “busy as a bee” certainly came to my mind as I watched this common eastern bumblebee literally stuff herself into the blossom of a whitestar morning glory. As you can see the bee was almost bigger than the blossom! Her enthusiasm is certainly on display. BTW the tiny whitestar is a native wildflower.

By Mockingbird Cicada Snack

Jordan Lake. Over the last couple of days the Riley’s 13 year cicada chorus has mostly faded into history. Now the birds such as this northern mockingbird are snacking on what they can find in amongst the rocks, on the sidewalks and probably in your yards. This mockingbird certainly enjoyed his cicada snack.

By Mockingbird and Cicadas Songs

Jordan Lake. Do you need some bright cheerful song to brighten up the grayness of the day? This northern Mockingbird was very full of itself. Occasionally looked down to make sure that I was actually listening and watching it. By the way the constant hum underneath the mockingbird’s song is the chorus of the cicadas singing.