Life on the Chautauqua Ridge

Found another butterfly that is not endemic to this area in the wild peppermint this morning. The Fiery Skipper cannot survive our harsh winters but are known to wander as far north as Southern Ontario during the summer.

Tonight's sunset was hidden behind the clouds but about a half hour later this amazing afterglow appeared.

This little squatter claimed one of the bird houses as a winter cottage.

Big Bumble Bee on Goldenrod

This is something you don't see very often on Lake Erie unless you happen to get lucky during migration season! There were several Whimbrels taking a break in the Dunkirk Harbor today on their way south after spending the summer in the Arctic Circle. They were mixed in with a flock of Greater Yellowlegs.

Migration season in full swing!

Great Blue Heron eating a small catfish in the Chadwick Bay Harbor.

A Pied-billed Grebe eating a crayfish. They are tiny birds which have an assortment of nicknames that include Hell Diver, Water Witch and Devil Diver. They are amazing to watch and the nicknames speak for themselves.

The waves on Lake Erie and the sunset made quite a splash this evening.

The waves on Lake Erie and the sunset made quite a splash this evening.

Canadian built Hinterhoeller Shark sailboats race twice each week in the Dunkirk Harbor. The Shark sloops were built specifically for the rough waters of the Great Lakes.

...and so does the view of the sunset from our back yard as the sun slips further south each day.

There is a constant war going on between this juvenile Cooper's Hawk and the Blue Jays in our yard. I've been finding piles of Blue Jay feathers and have seen him being mobbed by the Jays. I have finally photographed the culprit.

Their spots are nearly gone.

Last whispers of another gorgeous summer day!

Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~ Albert Einstein

Went out looking for Heron and migrating ducks and came across this beauty instead!

This young Amish man didn't look too happy about it either.

Chilly overnight temps, morning fog and a touch of color in the trees give us an inkling of autumn. The buildings in the background are the Chautauqua County courthouse and office buildings.

This!

An immature Yellowthroat making his first big migration south. I found him and a few others mixed in with a flock of Chickadees which is what they do to find food as they migrate. They follow the locals to find all the good places to eat!

Jewelweed is a wonderful herbal remedy for the skin. Juice from its stems will heal poison ivy, bee stings, mosquito bites, burns, sores and most any other skin irritation you can think of.

Photosynthesis in green plants is the life force of our planet.

This juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron didn't forget his veggies. Raw fish with a little seaweed on the side. Yes, he swallowed all of it whole.

A juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron taking off from his perch on a rock.

Crescent moonset this evening is two hours behind the sunset and reflecting a pinkish glow.

Lights from our backyard neighbors in the city of Port Colborne, Ontario are visible across Lake Erie this evening. It's often too hazy to see from here, but the crisp weather tonight made the city skyline sparkle after sunset.

A few cool nights in the upper 40's and the autumn colors are starting to pop!

This immature Goldfinch was puffing up its feathers to stay warm during our unseasonably cool September weather.

Another lovely Lake Erie sunset from high on the Chautauqua Ridge.

Didn't think we'd get to see her this evening with all the cloud cover but she made an appearance, halo and all!