Jamie and his research team work on the "Moon Lab" in San Salvador, Bahamas. See other phenomena from the Bahamas.
|
Welcome! It is 2:04:40 AM on Saturday, April 21, 2018. This page has served 339692 nature lovers. Last Update: Friday, May 2, 2014.
These pictures were taken with a Canon XL1 digital movie camera (and more recently, with either a Canon D30, D60, 10D and Mark II digital camera with a 100mm macro-lens and a 100-400 4.5-5.6 L Canon) in the natural areas surrounding Miami University and other natural areas in Southwest Ohio. Photos include flowers, insects, spiders, birds, snakes and turtles found in Southwest ohio. Miami has hundreds of acres that serve as research sites and as a fine refuge for solitude and connection with mother nature. Each week in the spring, I have seen new species of flowers emerge in floral waves. Favorite spots include Bachelor Trail, Harkers Run, Western Woods, Peffer Memorial Woods, and the Silvoor Sanctuary. Some very high resolution photographs can be found under the heading: Flower Companions:...!
Request!
I am an oceanographer by training and I could use some assistance in the identification of many of these plants. If you'd like to help, please e-mail me at haysc@miamioh.edu
Today, July 21, 2003, I encountered a beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio glaucus). It was feeding on some of Miami's Greenhouse flowers. I even encountered a a beautiful Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris thysbe)! I kept going between the fantastic Hummingbird Moth and the Butterfly. The Moth was full of rich and beautiful colors. The moth was an outstanding specimen and captivated my attention. Here is another Hummingbird Moth, with all "rudders" in full deployment! You can see why the common name is "Clearwing" Hummingbird Moth!
Here is a Quicktime Movie Slideshow of the beautiful Hummingbird Moths!
Now, back to the business at hand!
About 15 minutes later, a large Bald-faced Hornet (Vespula maculata) attacked the butterfly while it was still feeding. The butterfly and Hornet fell to the ground with a "thud." The Hornet proceeded to sting the butterfly multiple times and also succeeded in dismembering two of the butterfly's wings. At the end of the struggle, the Hornet beheaded the butterfly and flew away, with only the head, leaving the rest of the butterfly behind.
Life Goes On! After all of this, I came across a pair of Silvery-spotted Skippers (Epargyreus clarus) flirting with one another.
Here is another QUICKTIME Slideshow of the major players--butterflies, moths and a hornet. I entitled it "A Day in a Life." Here is a Quicktime MPEG-4 version
I know, there are more species here than flowers and invertebrates! I thought you might like to see photos of birds and snakes that we saw on this recent fieldtrip! Here is a Quicktime Slideshow of the Expedition! Go here to view individual slides of the Spring Valley Trip 2003 and the April 2004 Photos
Here are my collections of slides from this spring and summer's Western Woods walks at Miami University.
May 4, 2002
By early/mid May, the woods are really greening up! Many of the flowers which were common in mid-April have been replaced by the early/mid May flowers. It's a spectatcular floral succession!
Main Street Weather (Weather Home Base!!)of the same weather sites. Not as interesting, but download time is much quicker! |
Radar and Severe Weather
Get the latest predictions on severe weather |
Just the Maps & Views!
While far from complete, these downloaded views provide for a satisfying overview of North American Weather. |
Satellite Links
A complete text listing of satellite images and movies. |
Hurricanes & Tropical Weather
It's all Here! |
|
Satellite Downloads and Other Maps
Real-time satellite movies automatically downloaded |
Numerical Models and Forecasting Page | Midwest Weather!
Here is a separate page with Midwest weather highlights. |
WEATHER & EARTH SCIENCE RESOURCES |
|
OTHER ACADEMIC COURSES, STUDENT RESEARCH, OTHER STUFF
|
|
TEACHING TOOLS & OTHER STUFF
|
Any mail, comments or suggestions? You can Add to my Guestbook , View the Guestbook or e-mail me privately at HaysC@miamioh.edu.
Thanks for stopping by!
Photographs Copyright © 1996-"Infinity" R. Hays Cummins; All rights reserved.