Bumpus

Friday we went to a place called Bumpus to monitor.  It is what the Metroparks calls a corridor site; land purchased between Oak Openings Park and Kitty Todd Nature Preserve that serves as a natural corridor for plants and animals.  These sites are not as yet open to the public.  

Bumpus was one of the first corridor sites and we have been monitoring there for years.  We usually go in late summer.  This past winter, however, the land management division has been clearing the buck thorn and honeysuckle, trying to restore it to a wet prairie, and we were itching to see what was coming up.

In addition to orchids, columbine, trillium, wild geranium and all manner of sedges, we happened upon these fun fellows.

This female Calico Pennant Dragonfly (Celithemis elisa), was hanging out by a large pond on the property.  Dragonflies are so colorful, but difficult to photograph with the camera I carry (better suited to plants).  This morning was cool enough he was in no hurry to fly.  

This Gray Tree Frog, normally found in.....trees, was hopping in a newly exposed meadow.  Since the breeding season is over, my guess is the dry weather tempted him to search out water.  

We are now into our second day of much needed rain.  It may have put a damper on Memorial Day activities, but the frogs and plants are happy.