All photos taken on August 2, 2022 during our walk in Tucker’s Field and Bunchberry Meadows.
No matter which Google URL you believe, there is no denying that humans are vastly outnumbered by insects on this planet. Conservative estimates say there are 200 million insects for each human. Sorry, if this just made you feel itchy.
Nowhere is the insect population on display more than on our spring summer and fall walks. I think lately, there are at least 200 million mosquitoes per human there.
Mosquitos are ever present in summer, but not easy to photograph, unless you let them land and bite. I had no plans to do this.
Along our 8 km hike, we spotted moths, butterflies, flies, wasps, bees, grasshoppers, damsel flies and dragon flies. Below are the insect photos that turned out. Enjoy and try to stop scratching.
orange dragonfly
Flies on Common Sowthistle
I think this is a common wood nymph butterfly (Cercyonis pegala) top view
common wood nymph butterfly (Cercyonis pegala) side view
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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Insects have a lot of character, and some of them are really quite beautiful in their own way (if you don’t think about how, close up, some of them resemble aliens in space horror shows).
I agree. Even the most malevolent looking insects have a beauty about them. I ,love dragon flies. They should be creepy, but I think they are beautiful marvels of engineering. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
But, it does itch a scratch though, right, even if it did not give you butterflies in your stomach. Sorry, gotta fly. Thanks for reading and commenting Glen. Allan
Love, love, love the puns! It seems like you two covered most of them. I’ll have to stop fidgeting, it must be a nervous TICK 😀 (had to go there, you took all the good ones :P).
As someone that in a gathering of 6 people will be covered with mosquito bites, while the other 5 folks will be bite-free, it says a lot that I could still appreciate these great photos! How close did you have to get to the bugs to capture them?
My kids always rolled their eyes at my puns, but I could not help myself. I am after all a groan man. As to skeeters, my wife is the same way and refers to herself as a mosquito magnet. Thanks for joining in. Allan
Great photos, Allan. NWT has gigantic dragonflies that come out in huge numbers to feast on mosquitoes (I guess that’s why they’re so big). They are gorgeous and ugly at the same time.
Thanks Lynette. There seemed to be fewer dragonflies around here this year. Not sure what happened. We made up for it when we were in Jasper at Labour Day. The blue darners were out in force. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
I’m all for the environment and all things related to nature, except when it comes to mosquitoes. That is one scary stat about the mosquito to human ratio. Yikes!!! Your pictures on the other hand are beautiful. Great timing and patience. I love all the different types of dragonflies.
I often ask why there have to be so many mosquitoes. The only thing I come up with is birds and dragon flies gotta eat. This year there seemed not to be enough birds and dragon flies around for the number of mosquitoes. The good thing is that the lack of rain lead to the mossies early departure. Our best dragon fly viewing and photos came in Jasper. It was magical. Thanks for reading Linda. Allan
PHOTO DROP 
Incredible photos ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Thanks Luisa. Most of these guys are likely gone for the season now. Happy Wednesday. Allan
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In Italy there are still many💙
Happy Wednesday to you
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Insects have a lot of character, and some of them are really quite beautiful in their own way (if you don’t think about how, close up, some of them resemble aliens in space horror shows).
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I agree. Even the most malevolent looking insects have a beauty about them. I ,love dragon flies. They should be creepy, but I think they are beautiful marvels of engineering. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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Well said, think about the waterbear 😀
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There’s something about this post that bugs me but I can’t put my finger on it. 🙂
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But, it does itch a scratch though, right, even if it did not give you butterflies in your stomach. Sorry, gotta fly. Thanks for reading and commenting Glen. Allan
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Love, love, love the puns! It seems like you two covered most of them. I’ll have to stop fidgeting, it must be a nervous TICK 😀 (had to go there, you took all the good ones :P).
As someone that in a gathering of 6 people will be covered with mosquito bites, while the other 5 folks will be bite-free, it says a lot that I could still appreciate these great photos! How close did you have to get to the bugs to capture them?
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My kids always rolled their eyes at my puns, but I could not help myself. I am after all a groan man. As to skeeters, my wife is the same way and refers to herself as a mosquito magnet. Thanks for joining in. Allan
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Well taken shots Allan
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Thanks for reading Marion. Hope your week is going well. Allan
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Great photos, Allan. NWT has gigantic dragonflies that come out in huge numbers to feast on mosquitoes (I guess that’s why they’re so big). They are gorgeous and ugly at the same time.
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Thanks Lynette. There seemed to be fewer dragonflies around here this year. Not sure what happened. We made up for it when we were in Jasper at Labour Day. The blue darners were out in force. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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I’m all for the environment and all things related to nature, except when it comes to mosquitoes. That is one scary stat about the mosquito to human ratio. Yikes!!! Your pictures on the other hand are beautiful. Great timing and patience. I love all the different types of dragonflies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I often ask why there have to be so many mosquitoes. The only thing I come up with is birds and dragon flies gotta eat. This year there seemed not to be enough birds and dragon flies around for the number of mosquitoes. The good thing is that the lack of rain lead to the mossies early departure. Our best dragon fly viewing and photos came in Jasper. It was magical. Thanks for reading Linda. Allan
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You got some terrific photos, Allan! Insects are interesting when you get to see them up close.
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Thanks Ann. Bunchberry is a great place to see insects in action. Thanks for reading. Allan
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