Feeding station at Nature Center
2.5mm body length. Under peeling bark of large rotting log. Active. Air temperature about 59°F
Polysphincta sp female ovipositing on Tetragnatha sp (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19529926), identified at BugGuide 1000173. – https://bugguide.net/node/view/1000173
A point of interest here; this male brought two fish at once back to the nest. Both parents fed the little ones at the same time. I typically don't see the male helping out with the feeding.
This is a HUGE female "Eastern" Hellbender (amusingly referred to as the "Snot-Otter" by local fishermen), at 27.5" (Record is 29"). After reading Bishop's seminal work "Handbook of Salamanders", my best friend/cousin/herper Pete and I decided to check out some historical records listed in the book. We decided to examine some old locality records in Delaware County, and were amazed to find a population still extant at this locale (observed a total of 4 individuals). Unfortunately, we noticed the water quality decreasing as we searched downstream, encountering several small factories pumping effluent directly into the river. I believe this had affected this population negatively even then, as we observed no sub-adults/juveniles, and all were apparently old adults. One specimen had an unusual, large, egg-shaped tumor/lesion on its tail, possibly related to the poor water quality. I often wonder as to the fate of this population of magnificent "Giant Salamanders", some thirty-odd years later.
In very moist and highly rotten log
12 mm body length, 14 mm wing span. Found in wooded area near creek.
The only Nearctic Leptopeza with yellow antennae & mouthparts: Melander 1927
Rocky outcrop by a Gentoo penguin colony, on a warm sunny day.
Guarding nest; both adults visible at once for long periods; possible hatch.