A pair of Jagged Ambush Bugs, mating on a thistle head that has gone to seed. Same plant that hosted yesterday's small scale life-and-death drama; this thistle species produces multiple flower heads on branches extending from the main stalk.

These true bugs are only 3/8" to 1/2" long, but will attack prey much larger than themselves, principally wasps, hornets, bees, and various flies. Beekeepers don't like them.

Photographed in a roadside ditch at Rosefield, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2022 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Tags:   Jagged Ambush Bug Phymata sp. wildlife insect bug true bug assassin bug two 2 mating thistle ditch wild prairie macro close up Rosefield Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page

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A juvenile Snowy Owl takes one final look at the rolling red Toyota blind as it flaps away across the frozen fields. The Toyota decided not to crash through the fence and give chase. But its occupant, by total chance, managed to get one frame off that wasn't a butt shot.

They're gone now, along with most of the snow as the increasingly mild weather asserts itself. Migratory birds are starting to return: just an early trickle, but it will increase to flood proportions over the next few weeks. A very exciting time of year.

Photographed off the Rosefield Grid in the R.M. of Val Marie, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2022James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Tags:   Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus wildlife bird raptor owl juvenile flight flying that backward glance winter visitor migratory beauty beautiful wild prairie Val Marie Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page

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Several pairs of Marbled Godwits and Willets circled and swooped at me as I picked my way across the rocky, muddy lake shore. Their nests must have been close by. I didn't see any young, and godwit babies are not on my list of preferred snacks - but don't try to convince these large, loud, vociferous shorebirds that I'm not a predator.

The morning light at this time - still quite early - was rich and warm. I fired off several bursts, from which this shot may be the best. Also present at the lake that day: Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer, Eared Grebe, Common Tern, lots of waterfowl, blackbirds, and pelicans. All these are familiar species to this photographer, so the challenge is to try to raise the bar by getting better or different looking shots from what I've done in the past.

Photographed at Lonetree Lake, near Bracken, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2022 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Tags:   Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa wildlife bird shorebird sandpiper flight flying circling swooping vocalizing loud noisy agitated breeding season beautiful Wow! wild prairie Lonetree Lake Bracken Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page

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"What's A Summer Without Critters?" continues (and will for a few more days). Here, a young Prairie Dog seems to want attention from its mother, but mom - ever vigilant - knows she has to keep a sharp eye out for predators. Black-tailed Prairie Dogs are at the northernmost extent of their range in southwestern Saskatchewan; Canada's only population is found in Grasslands.

Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2022 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Tags:   Black-tailed Prairie Dog Cynomys ludovicianus wildlife animal mammal rodent young pup parent female mother attention cute wild prairie Grasslands National Park Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page 2022

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