The Last Hurrahs?

Low 60s today and full sun at the lake brought out the Asian lady beetles, cucumber beetles, tiny spiders, flies, one American Watersnake, many Autumn Meadowhawks, and a single Sleepy Orange butterfly (I think; my first). Tonight the temperature dips to 34 degrees (predicted) with a high of 39 tomorrow, followed by a plummet to 25 by night and a slim chance of snow.

Two years ago, I might have thought this change of weather would mean the end of my entomological adventures, but last year taught me differently: I last photographed an Autumn Meadowhawk two days before Christmas.

Fingers crossed that this isn't the last hurrah.

Don't Shoo, Flies!

Today's asters shook

under the weight
of so many-winged things:
bumblebees, large and small;
skippers; cucumber beetles;
one yellow-collared scape moth;
and a cloud of Steampunk
flower flies: spiked
shiny black abdomens,
vested in gold brocade.

This joint
was jumpin'!