These two dragonflies were photographed at Salton Sea in southeast California. They are Blue Dashers, male on the left, female on the right. They are small--about 1-1/2 inches, and have a characteristic position of tail up in the air when resting on stalks near water. There were quite a lot of them flitting about one drainage ditch. At first I thought there were more than one species, but after studying the photos and my field guide, I realized the differences were just male and female. The details in body and wings show best in larger sizes. 8/10/19 Judith Sparhawk
I went birding up to Forest Falls, the closest and easiest-to-get-to mountain area from home. The leaves were beginning to turn, and there were many clumps of blooming Rabbit Bush. The yellow flowers had attracted several types of insects, but especially these small bumble bees--I probably saw about 50 of them buzzing in the flowers. I believe they are Yellow-faced Bumble Bees, based on the yellow face and single yellow ring on the lower abdomen. It was wonderful seeing so many bees alive and well and so busy feeding that they didn't mind me and my camera. 10/4/19 Judith Sparhawk
I went for a hike in San Timoteo Canyon out of Redlands. I hadn't been there all summer, as it is always too hot. With slightly cooler temps, I headed out. Lots of dry plants gone to seed, a few flowers blooming. I ran across this single lady bug crawling around on this plant. He wasn't too cooperative, but I got a couple of shots before he flew away. 10/13/19 Judith Sparhawk
