Wildflowers, Arthropods (and More!) in Southwest Ohio

The back of our truck was home on San Salvador in the Bahamas

R. Hays Cummins, Western Program, Miami University

Welcome! It is 1:28:38 PM on Monday, May 25, 2020. This page has served 345886 nature lovers. Last Update: Friday, May 2, 2014.

Preamble:

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

Enjoy the Sights!

Flower Companions: Arthropods (Spiders and Insects) & Other Creatures

Birds on Miami University Properties

Check out an example of Nest Parasitism,. The Cowbird chick is larger than the adult Chipping Sparrows! While the life history of Cowbirds is incredibly interesting, I had to fight the urge to feed the Cowbird to my snakes. This photo was taken near Boyd Hall on Miami University's campus.

Male Chipping Sparrow- Spizella passerina, Order PASSERIFORMES - Family EMBERIZIDAE. This beauty was singing up a storm in front of Boyd Hall at Miami University in the mid-afternoon on April 16, 2004.

White-throated Sparrow- Zonotrichia albiocollis, Order PASSERIFORMES - Family EMBERIZIDAE. This male was singing in a redbud tree near Oxford, Ohio on a sunny mid-April day.

Northern Flicker- Colaptes auratus, Order PICIFORMES - Family PICIDAE. This pair was weaving and bobbing together. This photo was taken on Miami University's campus near Boyd Hall.

Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, Order PASSERIFORMES - Family EMBERIZIDAE. Readily recognized by its streaked breast and large, central spot.

Blue Jay-Cyanocitta cristata, Order PASSERIFORMES - Family CORVIDAE. All year resident. Showy, noisy. Sexes alike. Absolutely beautiful. This individual was high in a Tulip Poplar Tree on Miami University's campus on March 29, 2004.

Hummingbird Moths, a Hornet, and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Encounters, Summer 2003

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!

A series of outstanding images of the Hummingbird Moth frozen in time!

Here, the hummingbird moth hovers over the flower potpourri! AMAZING, a fantastic photo.
We see the moth head-on with wings fully extended. Another beautiful shot of a head-on view!! Wow!
The moth as seen from behind. Pretty cool!
I saw a Silver-spotted Skipper Butterfly and a Hummingbird moth together Then, a few moments later, two Hummingbird Moths shared "nectar spots." Excellent!
This hummingbird moth cooperated fully for a fine closeup image. Terrific!
This hummingbird moth was captured in-flight--a full longitudinal view Absolutely OUTSTANDING!
Finally, a sideview at a 45° angle.

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.

The Swallowtail feeding on nectar. What a beautiful creature! Here is a closeup of the butterfly head region.

Then the attack! From being alive to dead in a matter of minutes. I was shocked by the brutality of it.

The butterfly was butchered. The butterfly fought valiantly, but to no avail. The hornet was relentless and focused on its mission.

Two wings were removed.

The Hornet bit and stung the butterfly. and, finally...........

The Hornet removes the butterfly's head and flew back to the nest. Wow!

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

An amazing trip one hour east of Oxford, Ohio to Spring Valley, Summer 2003 and 2004--A Potpourri of Organisms

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

A fabulous Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Here is a photo of one of the many snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) we saw today in Spring Valley Nature area in SW Ohio on a beautiful sunny, mid-April day. We saw at least 10 individuals "cruising through the mud."
A Snapping Turtle Head Closeup!
A Snapping Turtle "Full Frontal Closeup!

Many wonderful birds were spotted from the Spring Valley Observation Tower including a Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola ), Sora (Porzana carolina), Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca), and Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).

Wow! My first Sora (Porzana carolina). I had a rough time taking pictures through the reeds. But, here is a sideview focusing on its huge feet and yellow bill
This Virginia Rail had a nest of more than eight eggs! Here, she was spotted sitting on the nest. Every now and then, she would get up and walk around.
Greater Yellowlegs were feeding on the extensive mud flats in Spring Valley. Note the extremely long legs.
A Male Wood Duck male (Aix sponsa ) seemed to be guarding this nestbox in Spring Valley. He was spectacular!

A Potpourri of Frogs

One toad, Bufo americanus, was calling while another toad was patiently reflecting in a pool.
A Northern Leopard, Rana pipiens frog was wary of my presence. They are called Leopard frogs because of their spots.

A Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) on a Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata):

The Monarch's Wings Wide Open
A Side-View of the Monarch on a Swamp Milkweed
Another Side-View of the Monarch on a Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) Absolutely fantastic!
In the same area as the Monarch butterfly, we came across Wild Rosemary (Ledum palustre) in a very wet sedge meadow. The plant was incredibly aromatic!
We also came across an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) on a cluster of Teasel (Family Dipsacaceae--Dipsacus sylvestris)!

A Wonderful Green Heron (Butorides virescens)!

Other Birds: A Red Wing Blackbird (Angelaius phoeniceus)

Near Mason, Ohio, there is an amazing Great Blue Heron Rookery. The birds were actively constructing their nests on this April 18, 2004 morning.
And, we came across this beautiful American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) drinking from a Teasel Plant and then posing for a photograph!.
Earlier, we saw a Rufous-sided Towhee! (Pipilo erythrophthalmus).
We got close enough to spot a female red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis))-a view of its underside. The Hawk cooperated and gave us a beautiful view of the hawk's dorsal surface as well.
Finally, the last bird, was a juvenile mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)!

A Beautiful Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)!

Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) rattlesnakes!

A huge male Massasauga rattlesnake was captured, data collected and released, July 2004. This beautiful rattlesnake weighed 560 grams. Note its GIRTH. It had five buttons on its rattle. ....... Here is a HEAD REGION closeup... Note the "pits." ..... Here is a Head-On View What a beautiful snake!
July 2003-This beautiful snake was 57cm long. It was my first sighting of a rattlesnake in Ohio.
July 2003-Here's a full body view. The snake's head looks like it had been damaged by a bird or rodent. Otherwise, the snake was in good shape.
July 2003-The snake's rattle had 9 buttons!
July 2003-We also came across numerous eastern garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)!

A Forest Trail Walk in Oxford, Ohio, August 2003--A Potpourri of butterflies, ants, aphids and an Assassin Bug!

I came across a beautiful Molting Assassin Bug commonly known as the Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus) The common name comes from the curved series of coglike teeth along the midline. Wow!

Here, it is emerging from it's much smaller molt. It's not quite out yet!
Here is a side view of a very impressive insect! It's favorite food is catepillars
Here is the Assassin Bug's Head Region. Wow! These guys mean business!
About two hours later, the Assassin Bug was hardeneing up and probably getting ready to eat. It was almost 3.5 cm long post-molt.

Ant-aphid Farming: An amazing collection of ants and their aphids on a Canadian Thistle plant. How did these complex symbiotic relationships between ants and aphids evolve? "Aphids are parthogenetic for part or all of their lives and both viviparous and oviparous at different times of the year. parthogenetic (asexual) reproduction reults in live birth and all aphids are both parthenogentic and viviparous during Spring and Summer." From the World of Little Suckers...

Here are some images of previously unphotographed butterflies and other insects. What a great day!

I found two Webworm Moths (Atteva punctella) feeding on flower nectar. They are incredibly beautiful!
This Painted Lady Butterfly (also known as the "Thistle Butterfly" (Cynthia cardui) was captured with its proboscis inside the flower! Wow!
This butterfly is in the Family Pieridae (which includes Whites, Sulphurs and Orange Tips). But, I don't know the species name! Kind of looks like a Southern White, but it is not supposed to live here! Please help!

A Pileated Woodpecker, Oxford, Ohio Summer 2003

A Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) investigates an oak tree on Miami University's campus. What an amazing bird!

A second look as the Pileated Woodpecker feeds. It flew away shortly thereafter.

Spring and Summer 2002, Slides and Movies!

Here are my collections of slides from this spring and summer's Western Woods walks at Miami University.

May 4, 2002

About two dozen slides of flowers, insects and spiders

CLICK on the image to play the movie. An early spring Nature Hike in the Western Woods at Miami University. I was impressed by the number of spiders that were hunting on the tops of flowers and leaves. Music by Gorillaz--Clint Eastwood. Return to the Flower Walk Slide Page.

A QUICKTIME Streaming Slideshow of the May 4, 2002 nature walk.

Previous Year's Excursions

Here is an amazing close-up of a crab-spider that captured and is consuming an ant!
Here is a beautiful jumping spider on the surface of a leaf. It is about 1 cm long. On the same walk, I found a crab spider in a typical ambush stance.
This crab spider was hunting in the mud on the trail.
This jumping spider, Metaphids (Metaphidippus spp.) was on a honeysuckle leaf. He showed no fear and he even had the balls to threaten me. I was impressed!
Another jumping spider, this time on a plant stem.
This spider sort of reminds me of a "long-distance" runner--alert, lean and fearless.
07/21/01--An orb weaver spider contructs its web after an early morning rain.
07/21/01--Some really cool shots of a jumping spider that had just captured a bee?. Now, I follow with a series of close-up photos of this spider and it's prey. These guys are amazing! Note the pollen-laden bee. An excellent picture from it's back. And, finally, a front-view perspective. Amazing photos. It's not easy taking these pictures!
07/21/01--While not a spider, I thought you might like a close-up of this fly obtaining nutrients on a flower. Really cool!
Besides spiders, I came across some "Aphid Ranchers." Sometimes, I am just amazed by the uniqueness of these temperate ecosystems found near the floral crests. It's almost as interesting as the rainforests of Costa Rica. These ants are tending to their herd of aphids. Amazing! Such tender loving care! Here is another perspective-- the aphids are at various phases of their life cycle. Here is the last wonderful closeup of the aphid ranchers! I wonder if these ants bellong to the FFA Club?
07/21/01--An interesting shot of a successful capture of prey near the top of a floral stalk on the wooded trails of Miami University in Ohio.
07/21/01--A wonderful set of images of a Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris thysbe) in body shape, but, in reality it's a moth. Absolutely stunning!
- Another image of the Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris thysbe) selecting from the myriad of choices at the flower gallery.
- Another image of the Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris thysbe). It is a beautiful insect.
- Another image of the Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris thysbe). Can you see the proboscis probing for nectar?
07/21/01--Damselflies have always proven elusive for me. But, today, I got lucky! A pair was courting along the Miami University trail system. They eventually made the connection!
- A close-up of the mating pair. The green female is grasping the male just behind his head. The male (on the right) has curled his tail almost 180 degrees and attached to the female at the base of her tail. AMAZING!
- Here they are again, but a little closer perspective. Life must go on, within you and without you!
- An extreme close-up of the male's tail donating sperm to the green female. And the beat goes on! Drums keep a poundin rythyms in my brain.....
Brown Daddy-long-legs (Phalangium opilio)) patrol the surfaces of leaves. Here is a wonderful closeup of one's mouthparts! And, finally, an extreme blow-up of its head region! Look at its eyes! Looks like a creature from Star Wars.
Six-spotted Green Tiger beetles (Cicindela sexguttata)) patrolled the trails. They can be very difficult to take pictures of because they are always jumping around!
07/21/01--A Six-spotted Green Tiger beetle on the prowl. It would not fly because of the morning rainfall. Here is an absolutely STUNNING closeup of a Six-spotted Green Tiger beetle shortly after a morning rain in the Miami University Woods!
A spider and a blossom hang suspended in space as the spider awaits its prey.
These insects look like bees (except for the fly!) from a distance particularly when they fly from flower to flower, but they are actually moths!
This old snail is snacking on a moist area at the base of a red oak tree. A slug on the right seems to like it as well!

Flowers Continued!

Sometimes you get lucky! Check out this picture of a Bee-Like Insect Landing (actually it's a moth) on a Beautiful Wild Germanium (Geranium maculatum) Flower! You can even see the shadows of its antennae!
I think these are germaniums--an amazing close-up of the inner floral cup.
Note the insects gathered around the the floral cup of this beautiful flower.
In early May, the local forests are filled with a variety of composites (Is this Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus ), a member of the Daisy Family?) particularly along trails and other disturbed areas. Here is a high-quality photo of another Fleabane?. Many of their identities are unknown to me. But, so what? They are beautiful!
A closeup of another yellow composite. The flowers are only millimeters across.
Dandelions are examples of composite Flowers. Many of the Dandelions have already gone to seed. WOW! Extreme complexity and beauty of design! Here is a higher quality close-up!
Mayapples Podophyllum peltatum produce a pretty flower that is usually hidden beneath a pair of leaves. They are members of the Barberry Family. Here are some high quality photos--solitary flower and leaves and a flower close-up.
Dame's Rocket sure are beautiful! They are members of the Mustard Family. They have a seed capsule that splits open when mature, and the seeds can be ejected many feet from the plant! Here are some high quality images of these plants. Again, from slightly further away.
Dame's Rocket has a wide variety of phentotypes. This color was a first for me.
Can you ID these flowers? Here is Unknown 1 and Unknown 2.
Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae Family, Lonicera japonica) is not the only invasive species in our local woods. Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis ) is common along the trails. I have to admit that it is beautiful! Here is a very high quality photo from a recent walk.(A member of the Spiderwort Family)
By early May, Honeysuckle flowering is at its peak (floral branch). Here is a high-quality close-up of a honeysuckle floral array. Note the anthers and stamens (loaded with pollen).
An Amazing Flower in its Sexual Splendor. Here are three flowers together! These belong to the Geranium Family, Geranium maculatum.
I have my doubts about the ID of these flowers! My Guess: The Waterleaf Family makes the scene along the trails. A high-quality wide-view followed by some beautiful close-ups: A, B, C.
Here are some amazing close-ups of some geraniums. It rained the night before. Here, we get closer still untill finally we are looking at the anthers and out-of focus style.
Dame's Rocket can reach over a meter tall and at its peak, has a Splendid Bloom! White phenotypes are also scattered among the amazing purple phenotypes.
Larkspar includes these wonderful specimens. Delphinium tricorne are members of the Buttercup family. Here are some high-quality closeups. And, again.
New growth is everywhere! This spruce has its photosynthesis in full gear!
A new spine develops on the bark of a honey locust tree. Why does this tree have such a spectacular defense? Plesitocene mammals perhaps?
These spectacular plants occurred in large clusters along the trail in Bachelor Woods. The flowers seemed about ready to burst open! I believe these flowers are Ornithogalum umbellatum, the Star of Bethelem?
Wow! I only saw one plant like this one. Check out the "everted" purple flowers! My what stamens you have!
This plant made up part of the ground cover near Harkers Run Creek. The white flowers are less than 1 cm across. Could this be 3-Leaf Sedum (Sedum ternatum ), a member of the Sedum Family?
Brypohytes are common in the shaded areas of the woods. These mosses had their reproductive spore capsules wetted by the previous evenings rainfall.

Early April Flowers

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucularia) are in bloom and abundant by the first week of April. They are members of the Bleeding Heart Family.
Can you identify this beautiful, solitary flower? The name has something to do with hemoglobin. Here are a few insipient buds. Further along the trail, the plant is in full bloom. Bloodroots (Sanguinaria canadensis ) are members of the Poppy Family.
Check out this beautiful flower cluster of rue anemones! Anemonella thalictroides belongs to the Buttercup Family.
There are at least three species of wild flowers in this photo. Can you ID them?
Can you ID these beautiful Purple Flowers? They look like Phlox (Phlox divarica) to me! Here are three higher quality photographs-- a wide-view, and close-up number one and close-up number 2.
Violets, both purple and yellow, are quite common in early April. Both belong to the Violet Family. The yellow violet is Viloa rotundifolia .
I am fascinated by Trilium flowers.
A stink bug rests on some emerging vegetation.
These white flowers are only millimeters across. Can you ID them? (This is a quiz!) Next time you see some,grind up some leaves--they smell like garlic. This plant is an invasive species.

Late April Flowers

By late April, many Dogwoods are in Bloom. Here is a close-up of an individual flower, Family Cornaceae, Cornus sp.
Any botanists out there? In late April, these stunning Purple Beauties made the scene. Here are a few more shots from a variety of angles. Could these be Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans), members of the Phlox Family?
Honey locust trees generate sharp spines to ward off predators?
And, one more floral group of 'spring beauties" (Claytonia virginia) to whet your appetite! By late April, spring beauties cover the Forest Floor. Another angle. They are members of the Purslane Family.
By late April, Lonicera japonica is beginning to bloom. Most of the flowers are white, but pink varieties are common. I can see why folks brought this plant to the states. It grows fast, it's nearly impossible to kill, the flowers are beautiful, it smells good, it greens up first in the spring and, last but not least, it loses its leaves last in the winter.
Interestingly, I found some early spring leaves infested with Red Galls. Is this plant the winged yahoo (Euonymus alata)?
Speaking of galls, this maple leaf was covered with a long, slender variety of gall tumors. Here is a close-up of a few slender "gall-stalks."
Delicate spring beauties(Claytonia virginia) emerge from a carpet of moss.

Early/Mid May Flowers

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!!)

Visit my favorite weather sites! There are a wide variety of sources ranging from the best weather machines to regional weather, FAX, radar, single frame satellite imagery, computer model forecasts, hurricanes, typhoons, MPEG movies (visible, infrared & water vapor) and buoy data from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico. Just what did weather fanatics do for fun before the invention of the internet?

Main Street Weather (Weather Home Base!!)

"Text Only" Link

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.

Main Street Weather (Weather Home Base!!)

Visit my favorite weather sites! There are a wide variety of sources ranging from the best weather machines to regional weather, FAX, radar, single frame satellite imagery, computer model forecasts, hurricanes, typhoons, MPEG movies (visible, infrared & water vapor) and buoy data from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico. Just what did weather fanatics do for fun before the invention of the internet?
Main Street Weather (Weather Home Base!!) "Text Only" Link 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.