June 3, 2022 Finds:

It must be Golden-backed Snipe Fly mating season in Canatara Park!  They can be found throughout eastern North America and are often observed resting on low vegetation in deciduous woodlands. Little is known about their life cycles or habits but the larvae of flies in the same family are known to develop in rotting wood or moist soil, feeding on small insects.

https://mlbs.virginia.edu/organism/chrysopilus_thoracicus

The striking pattern on the wings of this moth caught my attention this morning. A Tiger Moth became entangled in a web. When it was time for supper, the spider ate the juicy parts and left behind the wings and antennae! (The antennae are in the bottom left quadrant of the photo.)

I first spied this Cooper's Hawk while it was hunting on the ground. It flew up 6 feet into a tree then returned to the ground to continue the hunt.

I didn't want to disturb the hawk's hunting session, but I bet it was looking for chipmunks! Medium sized birds such as doves and starlings are common food for Cooper's Hawks but in Canatara, I often find them with chipmunks in their talons. This chipmunk with an extremely full cheek pouch was only 20 feet from the hawk.

It was nice to see a Great Blue Heron hunting in Canatara. They have been hard to find recently as they are busy feeding young at this time of year.