Monday, April 13, 2009

My World: Purgatory Creek

Another location that I am looking forward to visiting now that spring is here is Purgatory Creek.
Purgatory Creek is a small local park in Eden Prairie, MN. It consists of trails around a wetland area that is fed by Purgatory Creek.
I visited the park for the first time last summer when I herd, through the MOU list server, that it was a good spot to find shorebirds. When I got out there I did find that the water in one section of the wetlands was very low making it nice habitat for sandpipers, killdeer and lesser yellowlegs, as shown above.
The shallow water also made nice habitat for wading birds like great blue heron, great egrets, and green heron.
Not all of the water was shallow though, there were still several areas that had quite of bit of water.
The deeper water was home to several types of waterfowl like mallards, hooded merganser, and wood ducks.
The trees surrounding the wetlands provided food and shelter for different types of passerines.
At different times I spotted warblers, sparrows, flycatchers, catbirds, goldfinch and once even an indigo bunting.
Other life besides birds occupy Purgatory Creek. Reptiles like snakes, turtles and frogs can be found in and around the wetlands.
Small mammals like squirrels, muskrat and rabbits can also be found here.
However the thing that usually kept me coming to Purgatory Creek was the insects. Plenty of wild flowers growing around the wetlands attracted many different types of butterflies, including sulfurs, blues, coppers, viceroys and monarchs.
Even more impressive were all of the dragonflies living in the wetlands. Early in the summer there were many yellow phase Halloween Pennants hanging around.
There were also plenty of eastern amberwing, eastern pondhawk, blue dasher, variegated meadowhawk, twelve spot and four spotted skimmers, as pictured above.

19 comments:

erin said...

a feast of photographic opportunities await there....i can see why you like purgatory creek. i would enjoy it as well.

each of your shots beautiful.

Louise said...

So many beautiful kinds of wildlife to see and photograph! Your photographs would make anyone want to visit.

Sylvia K said...

What a wonderful world you have! Absolutely gorgeous photos of so many lovely plants, birds and animals! Thanks for sharing!

Janie said...

What a great place to see all kinds of wildlife. Thanks for the tour. Your photos are great.

Carver said...

I'd love to go there some time. You did a great job capturing the diverse wildlife with your camera.

Anonymous said...

With wonderful sights of wildlife like you featured I wouldn't mind spending a lot of time in Purgatory. Purgatory Creek that is :)

Lovely post.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots, I love the macros.
Have a wonderful week
Mary ElizabethBlog.

Arija said...

You give us so many wonders of the natural world. An enviable place to be near for enjoying the multitude of life on offer.

Martha Z said...

Beautiful shot, what a great place for nature lovers!

Kristi @ Mi Vida Ocupada said...

Great photos! I just came across your blog from link on Show us Your World...I also live in the Twin Cities :)

Unknown said...

What great photos!And what a great place to take them!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Dragonflies and Purgatory Creek sounds like a fairytale world. Mayflies and dragonflies are insects I have difficulty finding here.Most beautiful as always.

Dawn Fine said...

Great stuff in your neck of the woods!
You have wonderful photos!

Tarolino said...

Now that really is a haven for all sorts of wonderful creatures and for a keen wildlife photographer too. I'd just love to spend the whole day walking around and taking photos in such a place. The first shot of the spotted dragonflie was a masterpiece but they were all lovely.

Adrienne Zwart said...

Wow, I loved this series! And I'm jealous that you have such a beautiful spot for wildlife-viewing. This inspires me to find something similar around here. Surely, there must be a spot somewhere. Loving your world!

Tammie Lee said...

You have some amazing images here! The yellow and blue bird, great. The dragonflies pure magic!

The Explorer said...

It seems you have interesting blog here..and I love your photos.

Jenn said...

Great shots! I particularly love the dragonfly and the butterfly shots! Great detail.

Leedra said...

Love the 1st dragonfly photo.

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