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Photos from Bur Oak Trail in Birds Hill Park on 2011-May08:
Early blue violet (Viola adunca)?: Early buttercup (Ranunculus fascicularis): overexposed Early buttercup (Ranunculus fascicularis): closeup Spring tiphia wasp (Tiphia vernalis): Spring tiphia wasp (Tiphia vernalis): Spring tiphia wasp (Tiphia vernalis): Spring tiphia wasp (Tiphia vernalis): Spring tiphia wasp (Tiphia vernalis):
note: the black winged-insect appears to have coilable antennae;  4 of the 5 photos show it with partially coiled antennae;  it demonstrated a digging ability;  the distinctively corrogated wings (photo 17785) suggest a Scoliid wasp;  Doris Ames suggested Braconid wasp based on the coiling up of antennae;  she revised her choice to Spring tiphia wasp (Tiphia vernalis) based on the adult being active in the springtime, and that's how I've labelled them (also considered Scoliid wasp (Scoliidae sp), Braconid wasp (Braconidae sp), Thread-waisted wasp (Sphecidae), and Parasitic wasp (Vespoidea sp));  Doris also noticed that an old photo (20050505/07811_erC) looks to be of Braconid wasp cocoons, now so labelled;


Photos from South Drive in Birds Hill Park on 2011-May08:
Three-flowered avens (Geum triflorum): plant Three-flowered avens (Geum triflorum): flowers Three-flowered avens (Geum triflorum): flowers closer Three-flowered avens (Geum triflorum): flower

Photos from Sunnyside Cemetary near Birds Hill Park on 2011-May08:
Prairie crocus (Anemone patens): and Sun-loving sedge (Carex pensylvanica) Prairie crocus (Anemone patens): Prairie crocus (Anemone patens):

Photos from Hazelridge Road southwest of Birds Hill Park on 2011-May08:
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) male+female pair Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) male+female pair