Saturday, July 12, 2014

Marsh Life

Orange bluet (Enallagma signatum) I believe

 A damselfly for sure and I'm pretty sure it's an orange bluet. Since the damselfly is  between 1 and 1.5 inches long, this is definitely a macro - the photo is more than the size the insect is in reality.  Orange bluets are said to hang around ponds or slow moving streams, which is exactly where I found this one. It was hanging onto a stem waiting for a nutritious insect to pass by.

 Painted turtle and reflection

Turtles are true sun worshipers.  On a recent visit to McKenzie Marsh (Aurora), turtles were sunning themselves on logs.

 Another turtle

But turtles  (and birds, of course) were not the only animals we saw on or in the water.

Muskrat

I am linking to Saturday Critters HERE.

I am linking to I Heart Macro HERE.

38 comments:

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi EG MARVELOUS REFLECTION IN THAT 2ND SHOT AND I LOVED SEEING THE MUSKRAT AS I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE BEFORE. Have a wonderful weekend.

Revrunner said...

Wonderful closeups, EG. I find painted turtles very difficult to photograph because of their penchant for diving into the water at the first sign of anyone or anything approaching.

eileeninmd said...

EG, these are all awesome critter sightings.. I love the damselfly macro and the turtle and reflection. The muskrat is kind of cute! Great shots. Thanks for linking up with my critter party. Enjoy your weekend!

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautiful photos! I like the painted turtle. I wonder how they manage to crawl up onto windfalls like that. Do they start out from the shore and walk out or climb up from the water? Do you know? I've never seen one here at all. Have a great weekend. Pam

Shammickite said...

Incredible eyes on the damselfly.

cieldequimper said...

Absolutely gorgeous shots EG (and I love that muskrat!)

Kerri Farley said...

These are GREAT!

Kate said...

Wonderful photo of each animal.

Rose said...

Fine captures, specially of the damselfly. I love marsh areas...seems like they usually have something to see.

VioletSky said...

Great macro!
And I always love to see turtles :)

orchid0324 said...

Oh, I thought the Muskrat "river otter" p;) Yes, first turtle shot's reflection is so marvelous, EG♡♡♡
Night Night from Japan,xoxo Miyako*

MadSnapper said...

I want to see a muskrat, i truly do. the reflection turtle is wonderful..the damsel fly with those bug eyes might have dropped of a UFO and be from outer space and know ET

TexWisGirl said...

love these! turtles make me smile.

William Kendall said...

I don't think I've seen muskrats myself in the wild. Beautiful shots!

rainfield61 said...

A damselfly and a turtle are alike.

They like to perch on a stem.

Indrani said...

Wow! Fantastic!
I have never seen a muskrat , not even in zoos here.

Birdman said...

... lookin' for a little 'muskrat love'?

Unknown said...

I love the turtle, Great shot with reflexions!

JetteMajken

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

These are great shots! I love the turtle and it's reflection in the water.

Linda W. said...

LOVED the turtle photos! :)

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

Like the turtles and a good catch on the muskrat.

George said...

All of these photos are fantastic. I really like your macro of the damselfly, as well as the one of the turtle and its reflection.

21 Wits said...

Just hanging out! Having fun.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

outstanding pix...especially that Damselfly!...:)JP

RedPat said...

Love that muskrat - I don't think I've ever seen one!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wonderful, wonderful pictures! The mayfly shot is amazing!! I love his big eyes. I have never seen a real muskrat, love the way the water is parting for him. And the wonderful turtle reflection! On the second picture of the turtle, his body is very colorful with reds and yellows. And I like the back feet, very good for swimming!

Lisa Gordon said...

I just love that little muskrat!
So sweet.
These are wonderful photographs.

sunshine said...

Great shots, like the colors of the turtle.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful critters and great shots ~ muskrat and turtle are both fascinating to me ~ thanks, ^_^

artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

Anvilcloud said...

Tried to take a damsel fly the other day. Not very good.

betty-NZ said...

Those are some lovely critters!

Carole M. said...

A nice variety of wildlife...the colourful turtle was a treat to see

Stephanie said...

Awesome images, especially the turtles!!

Randy said...

Wonderful nature shots.

Kathy said...

Wonderful nature shots!

Anonymous said...

These are wonderful captures! Looks like a great place to go for a walk and enjoy nature.

NatureFootstep said...

lovely colorful critters in your part of the world. :)

kayerj said...

I love this post--wonderful shots. The muskrat is my favorite.

Friends who encourage me

Blog Archive

About Me

My photo
East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.