RETURN

 

I like to go back to places I know. Some people find it annoying, some people find it funny or strange, but that's just how I am. So I'm walking in the forest again in search of stag beetles and other insects that feed and live in decaying wood.  Many trips but there's always something new, and always interesting. Usually I travel alone or in a group - called the geriatric group (whom you already know 😊 ) 

Recently, a new colleague Witek joined us - currently a candidate for ZPFP - Lower Silesian District. A bird enthusiast, but after a few visits in search of stag beetles, great capricorns and the like - he will certainly expand his portfolio 😊 (I can bet).

Initially, even though we knew about the first stag beetles showing up here and there, we weren't particularly lucky in finding them. It started with large mandibles sticking out of the ground - he would come out eventually- but sometimes it takes all day so I didn't have that much patience. We had to make do with other catches.

On the other side of the path, on a cut tree stump, there was a (Rhagium sycophanta) walking around, I don't know its English name - I started taking pictures of it - unfortunately it didn't want to cooperate and decided to fly away.

It settled down nearby - and hidden in the leaves, it watched me - or so I think 😉

 In the meantime, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a lizard climbing the trunk - I was waiting for a good shot. 

The moment the lizard leaned out above the surface of the trunk, I heard my friend's voice - "it's coming back" - he was talking about the beetle. 

When the insect landed, it ran into the lizard - lizard retreated, and the insect flew forward by force of inertia. Luckily, I pressed the trigger and a series of photos was created, which - without comment, looks like a story of driving away an aggressor. 😊

On the same day I noticed an insect that landed on the path, although I had met it before I didn't know what it was - it turned out to be (Chalcophora mariana).

Another time - the same place - we were walking with Andrzej and Gosia around the area - it was warm so we decided to sit on a tree trunk for a moment but it turned out to be impossible because the trunk ... "came to life". 

Ants started to emerge from every crack - but not "some ants" - the elite - future queens accompanied by males, both "versions" winged. 

We came across mating flights - oh boy, that was something to see. 

They are the largest ants found in Poland - growing up to 2 cm - Camponotus ligniperda.

 

During another trip – with Witek – an adept at photographing insects 😀. 

This time we have already come across several sought-after specimens - stag beetles and great capricorns.

Photo: Witek Mazur

Photo: Witek Mazur

Photo: Witek Mazur

Witek also photographed an interesting insect that looked like a large… hairy ant?!

Photo: Witek Mazur

The Internet showed that it was a  (Mutilla europaea) 

(first time I've heard of it 😕) males have wings, females don't - so it's " She" 

For a period I wanted to 'encourage' it to move to a more "photogenic place" but I didn't do it and I guess it was a good thing too because I read that it can sting very painfully.

By the way, I wonder what people watching us sometimes must think of us as we run from tree to tree looking at their trunks and roots??? 

Although actually my dog ​​does that too but only when he wants to… pee 😊 Oh well…..😜😏

Photos: If not signed - Marek Czubaszek, and Witek Mazur (listed in the captions) 😊