Chris' Camera Bag

A Photo Web log by Chris Young

It’s hot, but there’s still a lot going on outside

Here’s a sample of what you’re missing if you happened to choose air-conditioning over a hike through the outdoors the past few weeks.

Top photo: You’ve probably never seen a prairie cicada. If you do, you’ll know when this large cicada buzzes past your head. They are mostly restricted to original prairie remnants. This one was photographed at Anderson Prairie Park, an old railroad prairie, in Pana.

Black-eyed Susans near Kilbourne.

Prickly pear cactus in bloom at Sand Prairie Scrub Oak Nature Preserve in Mason County.

It’s been a strange spring and summer. New England aster, normally a fall-blooming plant, is already in bloom. I’ve seen it flowering in several locations in central Illinois.

A female northern bobwhite sits tight in Sangamon County.

Finally, a merciful end to another hot day.

Next entry: Sunday afternoon on the prairie

Previous entry: Identifying birds and critters over the phone