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Indian Creek Wildlife Observation Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC  

This parking lot serving this trail is currently closed to the public (except during hunting season, according to an unsubstantiated rumor).  This measure was reportedly taken because a certain type of bad warm-weather behavior was upsetting to families visiting this site, as described in an editorial (now lost), and elaborated on in a feature article (now lost).     Naturalists studying insects and spiders are the clear losers here.  If you haven't been to this spot, you can see on this page photos of some animals you may no longer be able to see there firsthand.


Crane Fly Orchid leaves, 12/18/05.   These leaves are replaced by a raceme, a kind of inflorescence typical of orchids.

3/25/07

Common Shore Tiger Beetle, Indian Creek Wildlife Observation Trail, Chatham County, NC, 3/25/07 Female Falcate Orangetip, Indian Creek Wildlife Observation Trail, Chatham County, NC, 3/25/07 Whirligig Beetle, Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 3/25/07.  There were about a hundred such beetles in a group on the lake near the shore. Orchard Spider, Indian Creek Wildlife Observation Trail, Chatham County, NC, 3/25/07

9/3/06

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar, Indian Creek Trail, Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06.  To judge from the threads on either side, it may be about to become a chrysalis. Same Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar Long-jawed Orb Weaver, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06

 

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and Crossline Skipper, Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06.  This plant was just in the lake. Female Pearl Crescent, Indian Creek Trail, Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06 Wheel Bug, Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06.  Somehow this bug wound up afloat on debris on the lake. Crossline Skipper, Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06

 

Green Lynx Spider, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06 Mystery spider, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06.  This was a very tiny spider, just a speck to the naked eye.  (But then, my vision isn't so great). Sleepy Orange, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06 Arrow-shaped Micrathena, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06

   
Ichneumonid wasp, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06    

Female Zabulon Skipper, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06 Female Zabulon Skipper, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06 Jumping spider, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06 Ailanthus Webworm Moth, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06 Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06

7/7/06

Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06.  This snake froze in place near the eagle-viewing station. Bush Cricket nymph, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 Horse Fly (Tabanus fulvulus), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 Stilt Bug, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 Broad-headed Bug, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06

 

Banded Pennant (Celithemis fasciata), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 Long-legged Fly, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 This beautiful golden bee had me stumped!  Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 Probably a Clay-colored Leaf Beetle, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 Spiny Oakworm Moth  (Anisota genus), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06

 

Mystery spider, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06 Crab spider (with prey), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06.  This tiny spider looked at first like a Sinea genus assassin bug nymph.

 

Star-bellied spider, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06: ventral view on left, dorsal on right.

4/4/06

Common Baskettail, Indian Creek Trail, 4/4/06.  There were at least 20 other members of the same species in one small area.

3/10/06

White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album), Indian Creek Wildlife Observation Trail, Chatham County, NC, 3/10/06

8/2/05

Northern Pearly Eye, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 8/2/05

5/3/05

Carolina Satyrs mating, Indian Creek Trail, Chatham County, NC, 5/3/05 Indian Creek Trail near Jordan Lake bank, Chatham County, NC, 5/3/05. Yes, this plain brown butterfly is a Carolina Satyr, but it's not often seen from this angle.

Copyright © 2006-2018 Dorothy E. Pugh.  All rights reserved.