Stalking dragons from all angles......

I went to Mouteau Park hoping to see birds and butterflies, but mostly just ended up stalking the different dragonflies they have there.  I saw 4 different kinds....sometimes all 4 sitting together on the same tall twigs along the water's edge.  Someone either cut most of the tall stuff, or it died and there aren't very many tall places for them to perch.

 I can always find Blue Dasher males at any pond this time of year.

 This Halloween Pennant male is one that I always find at this park each year, but very few other places I go.  I've only seen the female once or twice....she is not as orange....more yellow.

 I like all the different angles and views.  Each view seems to show some detail better.

 From the back with the wings up and different light.

 This is the Slaty Skimmer male.  Bigger then the other two dragonflies and very evenly colored slate blue.

 This view shows his color the best.

 One of my favorites and easy to spot with the black and white on the wings.....the Widow Skimmer male.

Have no idea what this bee/wasp is, but like its color.

 I still cannot figure out how to get the close-up setting on this camera to turn on....the little flower icon.  I spent a lot of time trying to take some photos of small butterflies and dragonflies against grass and never could get them to focus.  Don't know what I am doing wrong, but hope I figure it out eventually!  Even have read the manual without help....sigh.

 My only bird shot....a Goldfinch that was enjoying all the seeds on the thistles.

One moth down in the grass at my feet.

Walking at the wetlands in the wet weather.....

During one of our rainy day breaks, we were near the wetlands, so we stopped for a brief walk....which got wet when it started raining again.

There were a handful of Canada Geese in the water taking it easy.

....practicing their ballet moves......

 .....exercising their wings.

2-3 on a far bank in the grass.  This one is on guard for the other two.

 I liked the clouds reflecting in the water.

 The little maple trees looks so pretty with their new reddish leaves.

A Mockingbird letting us know that this is "his" territory! 

 Don't know what this plant is, but I liked how it looked.

 New purple leaves on this little tree.

 A Red-winged Blackbird on the observation area railing.

 A Robin up high as we were leaving.

 Mr. Blackbird again.

 A bee on the teasel.

And of course a few turtle shots, although not many were out on the logs. 

 All dressed up in their green duckweed.

I thought this one was a rock at first :-)

 A female dragonfly.....Pondhawk, I believe.

 The Blue Dasher male.

 Tall flowers against the sky and clouds.

 This Fritillary butterfly wanted to lay out nicely for me, but it was on the railing and I'm a bit on the short side, so the angle is odd.

Fungi in the water.

An Amberwing dragonfly on our own pond. 

 And another Blue Dasher, as well.

 This pair of Damselflies was mating and I was having a hard time getting focused on them with the new camera.  I can't seem to get the close-up stuff figured out, so this is good practice. No idea of their name.

 Our double orange lilies along the back of the garage.  I just love these particular lilies and they have so many buds and flowers before they are done.

Had a bit of sunshine yesterday, but still having some rain almost every day.  A really wet year so far! 

The day started out wet......

We have had day after day of rain.  

I saw this leaf on the deck and wanted a photo of the rain drops. 

 The grass is in desperate need of mowing....but too wet.  One of Mike's little blueberry bushes....loaded with fruit even though it is only about knee high.

One of the dark orange lilies with water drops.

 I sat and watched the birds for awhile after the rain quit.  A Cardinal and a female Cowbird...I think.

Down in the grass.....a Cardinal family....male, female and in the middle a juvenile.....along with the cowbird. 

 Papa Cardinal in the tree

 Mama Cardinal keeping a fond eye on her offspring.

 Mom and babe

A different young one in the tree. 

 I'm glad the Cardinals have done well.

There seem to be several babies around.  All big enough to feed themselves, but not with the adult coloring yet. 

 Looking a little lost.....I think this is the youngest one that I've seen so far.

 Chickadee.....sideways while choosing just the right seed.

 Chipping Sparrow in the drive.

....and in the tree. 

House Finch on the left, Goldfinch on the right. 

One of the many House Sparrow youngsters. 

A wren on the "porch".  We think the baby wrens have fledged, but I keep seeing wrens going in the house.  They just don't go in as often.  Maybe the young ones are still living there?  The noise Mike could hear inside as quieted down.

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Got out and took photos several places today, so maybe I will post a little more often for awhile!