Clik here to view.
Northern Michigan, in a few random photos
As I've done for the past seven or eight years, I'm at NettieBay Lodge in northern Michigan's Presque Isle County. From this serene spot on the shores of Lake Nettie, we embark on natural history tours...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Some birds from the jack pine plains
Today was my "day off" in between leading a pair of trips up here in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. We're based at NettieBay Lodge, and the area's diversity is staggering. It's only about 20...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Golden-winged Warbler, feeding
A male golden-winged warbler, with brilliant golden ingot stamped across his wing, forages in a choke cherry, Prunus virginiana. I made this image and the following ones a few days ago, while in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Spotting of king rail spotlights bird's decline in Ohio
A king rail was recently spotted at Glass Farm on the outskirts of Yellow Springs/Jim McCormacColumbus DispatchJune 3, 2018NATUREJim McCormacIn May 29, 1810, in Kentucky, the great naturalist and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Michigan Natural History Forays! Dates for 2019
A flaming sunset colors the Jack Pine Plains of northern Michigan's Presque Isle County. Kirtland's warblers, among many other avian species, sang Taps while I made this photo.Another set of Michigan...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Common Loon, in portraiture
During our NettieBay Lodge forays in northern Michigan - several recent posts on these - we usually take the groups onto Lake Nettie via pontoon boat. It's a great way to observe birds and other...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Two upcoming photo workshops of interest
A west-central Ohio prairie in its peak splendor, in mid-July. An abundance of interesting photographic opportunities can be found in such a place.On July 15 - prime time for prairies! - Debbie DiCarlo...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mutualism vs. Parasitoidism: Two interesting examples
A northern mockingbird, seemingly pleased as punch with its ability to mimic kestrels, blue grosbeaks, titmice, cardinals and all manner of other voices, tees up on the flowers of a yucca. He was...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hunting dragons at a dragonfly conference
A blue dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis, commands a perch over a wetland rich in dragonflies and damselflies. Competition for this lookout was fierce, with dashers, Halloween pennants, and widow...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Common Merganser, with babies
A hen common merganser, Mergus merganser, steams along with eleven babies in tow. The little ones cling tightly to her, and as many as possible will clamber aboard her back.I've been up on the Gaspe...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec
A gorgeous sunset paints the skies over the Chic-Choc Mountains of Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula.I just returned from a long-awaited trip to the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec, one of the most scenic areas in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Golden-winged Skimmer in Ohio
Hard to keep current with the blog of late, due to travels and too many commitments. I'm not wanting for subject matter, though - many of my excursions, if not specifically photographic in nature, at...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Remember, dragonfly records needed!
A male eastern pondhawk, Erythemis simplicicollis, rests on a lilypad in a Logan County, Ohio wetland, last Tuesday. This common, beautiful dragonfly is found in wetlands statewide.As I've written...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Gannets of Bonaventure Island
The village of Percé, on Québec's Gaspé Peninsula, as seen from the mountains above town. The large rock monolith arising from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, just right of the largest spruce tree, is Percé...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Rare flowering plant finds safe haven in southern Ohio
Sullivant's coolwort was discovered in 1839 in Highland CountyColumbus DispatchJuly 29, 2018NATUREJim McCormacIn 1795, Lucas Sullivant was contracted by the Commonwealth of Virginia to survey land...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Monarch from egg to butterfly: A pictorial transformation
One of the world's most iconic butterflies, the monarch, Danaus plexippus. These conspicuous insects are revered by large numbers of people, and recent conservation efforts to help declining...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Nature: Birders thrilled to see Mississippi kites flying in Ohio
A young Mississippi kite flexes its wings in its nest in Ross County/Jim McCormacColumbus DispatchAugust 5, 2018NATUREJim McCormacThe summer of 2007 brought exciting news to Ohio’s bird watchers....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Autumn's Asters weekend: Shawnee State Forest, September 14 - 16
The beautiful stiff-leaved aster, Ionactis linariifolius, one of myriad members of the aster family that is found in Shawnee State Forest and vicinity.I have been remiss in plugging what promises to be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bokeh: Photographic background blur
A gorgeous Halloween pennant, Celithemis eponina, tees up on a conspicuous snag. These colorful dragonflies are often easy to approach, fairly common, and irresistible photo subjects. I made this image...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lilypad Forktails appearing everywhere!
I had a meeting yesterday morning with MaLisa Spring, coordinator of the Ohio Dragonfly Survey, and entomologist Dave McShaffrey of Marietta College, coauthor of the book The Dragonflies and...
View Article