When the birds are gone

It may still be summer, but most of the migratory birds have started their winter journey south. My favourite avian friends seem to have departed without saying goodbye. So, I train my eyes to look at all the beauties that I haven’t noticed before when I was only focused on birding. Even the dandelions look good when contrasted with the clear, blue river, or the small butterfly, or is it a moth?

I’ve discovered a brand new interest. What are these red flying objects in front of my eyes, so many of them darting around. Red dragonflies… I haven’t noticed them before. My curiosity sent me to Google and yes, I’m sure they are dragonflies and not damselflies. The main difference is that dragonflies’ wings spread out like this when they’re at rest:

while damselflies fold up their wings at rest like this:

I’ve seen blue dragonflies before, lots of them here, but this time it’s the red dragonflies that are so abundant. I haven’t noticed them before. They are beautiful and easier to capture in photos than birds:

some intimate moments:

Of course I’ll miss my avian friends for another long absence until next spring, but there are other beauties to behold. It’s small things like these that sometimes make me jump out of bed with excitement. No, they won’t be around come winter, but I’m sure there are other blessings to explore then.

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Arti

If she’s not birding by the Pond, Arti’s likely watching a movie, reading, or writing a review. Creator of Ripple Effects, bylines in Asian American Press, Vague Visages, Curator Magazine.

22 thoughts on “When the birds are gone”

  1. That little white one is a butterfly: a cabbage white. One way to tell the difference between butterflies and moths is their antennae. You can see that this one is smooth, with a kind of ‘club’ on the end. Moth antennae usually are feathery, and shorter. Your little brown one is a skipper — a kind of butterfly. They’re all delightful!

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  2. You are the most extraordinary photographer, Arti. If you ever give up writing— which I sincerely hope you do not—you could have an entirely new and successful career with the camera!!

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  4. Red dragonflies—what a treat Arti! Thank you for the sharing!
    The yellow flowers are Meadow Salsify (sort of cousins of dandelion;)
    My August this year is full of changes, and heartbreak for me—my husband of 33 years passed away August 4 after a long decline, I have shingles (so painful) this week, and my birthday 🥳 is tomorrow. Sadly, I’m in isolation. A challenging year is 2023.

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    1. Heather, I’m so sorry for your loss. And having shingles and being in isolation surely add to the suffering. I just hope––however little effects they might bring––my posts here on Ripple can bring some solace and comfort. Take good care of yourself and God Bless!

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        1. Heather- I know this won’t mean much coming from a stranger but I just wanted to say how truly sorry I am for your loss and all that you are having to endure. I hope you were able to celebrate your birthday doing whatever brings a little peace and joy to you.
          Whenever you’re ready, there’s a book called “Grief’s Country” by Gail Griffin that is absolutely beautiful. Gail was a professor of mine at Kalamazoo College in Michigan many years ago. Incredible writer, teacher and human being.
          You’ll be in my thoughts.
          -Ellen

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  5. Because of the summer drought the dragonflies in my garden have been few so your photos are extra lovely because I miss seeing them so much. I noticed last week the geese are beginning to flock together for their travels south and there are fewer robins, though since winters have gotten warmer, there are some robins who stay these days.

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    1. For us, we still see the Chickadees in the winter… not sure about the Robins. But I know some ducks stay. I’d seen Mallards in -20C temps! And I’m sure some other birds stay but just that I don’t know where they hide in the winter months. It’s always a joy to see the yellow and colourful migratory birds come back in the Spring.

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  7. I love dragonflies. I don’t see very many, but a few years ago I had the red ones in my garden quite a bit. This year I saw the dear damselflies on my tomato plants, and while I tried to take their picture, I knew it would not work. They were just too slender, and I only had my phone… I somehow knew they were damselflies, but I hadn’t remembered the identifying way they keep their wings close to their bodies when still.

    Thank you for these photos! It’s always a joy to see your world through your eyes … through your camera … over the internet … on my screen … Somehow the experience is still very rich. ❤

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    1. Usually by this time the woods near the Pond here are quiet. But this year there are lots of red dragonflies and not many blue ones. Don’t know why.

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    1. Thanks Denise, good to hear from you. As for the photos, I must say that I needed to crop and sharpen them as my camera and lens aren’t as good as birding requires. But sufficient to just satisfy my own curiosity. Trust you’ve had a good summer. Enjoy the rest of it. 🙂

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  10. Thank you for this. There’s an article just out today on Rufus Hummingbirds and their plight( CNN, probably other sources). I’ve never seen one…has anyone here?
    Speaking of awe, I am reading “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life” by Dacher Keltner. Excellent.

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    1. Haven’t seen that one but I’ve seen The Hummingbird Effect on PBS about the hummingbirds in Costa Rica and their influence on the ecosystems in the world. Simply mesmerizing.

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