Ames, Iowa - More Dragonflies and Flowers - July 2025

We are really lucky in Central Iowa to have some awesome natural resources, parks, etc. nearby. I'm sort of indoorsy (understatement), so getting to see nature without having to put in a lot of work is pretty awesome. I'm mostly kidding, but it is great to have all of this right out your back door.

Anyway. I took C out with me to McFarland Park again back in July, because I knew that some of the flowers and such were about to bloom. Dragonflies are sort of my favorite, so I was so glad when we hit the jackpot on some of those, too.

This dragonfly gave no craps that I was right up in his face taking photos. I assume it was because of the aphid or whatever it was on the back of the leaf keeping his interest, I don't know. But most of this series of photos features this little old man-looking bug.

I love him in black and white. Look at his... muzzle? Do dragonflies have muzzles? I assume not.

The same photo in color - not sure which is better.

Hey buddy - 3/4 shot.

I love when coneflowers are balding. I don't know why, but it brings me joy.

This is called a goldenrod crab spider. I'm not sure I've ever seen one in person before, but it looks sort of like a kernel of corn with legs. I assume he was going in for the kill. I guess it's nice to photograph premeditated murder.

Back to my dude. Seriously, he did not care I was there.

I'm not sure what kind of bug this is (presumably some sort of beetle or similar), but I really, really like photographing bugs. The sunlight was pretty harsh on the flower, but the bug had great markings.

Sorry if you don't like looking at photos of bugs.

Profile shot.

This didn't photograph as pretty as it was in person - only one of the flowers was being hit by the sun, and it was really pretty.

My dragonfly buddy in panoramic.

CRD with me, checking out the pond.

Smile!

Looking pensive.