Eric Gofreed
Well-Known Member
It’s Winged Wednesday, where feathers, flutters, and flight steal the show—but this week, the birds are sharing the stage. Whether it buzzes, flits, hovers, or folds its wings like origami, if it can fly, it qualifies.
Today, I’m contributing a few of my favorite insects: a dragonfly, a hairstreak butterfly, a beetle, and a wasp. They may be small, but they know how to make an entrance—and sometimes steal the whole show.
So, pull up a leaf, a log, or a lens and enjoy the tiny wonders. And don’t forget to share your winged creature—bird, bug, bat, or butterfly. If it’s airborne, it belongs here.
Next week’s theme is still up in the air. Feel free to suggest one—or surprise us. Thanks for visiting, and thanks for playing Winged Wednesday!
Ashy Gray Beetle
Not your classic ladybug, but possibly a close cousin in disguise. This beetle’s matte finish and muted color suggest it's more into subtlety than show. Still—don’t let the plain paint job fool you. Beetles make up nearly 40% of all known insects. Statistically speaking, Earth is basically run by beetles.
Juniper Hairstreak on a Daisy
Small, green, and hard to spot unless it's posing politely on a daisy. The Juniper Hairstreak sticks close to its namesake tree and flashes that zigzag pattern like a tiny forest sprite. Most butterflies wander far—this one’s more of a homebody with style.
Yellow Paper Wasp on Water
This yellow paper wasp settled right onto the surface of the water, drinking calmly as if it had all afternoon. Legs splayed wide, tension intact, it floated with perfect balance. When it finished, takeoff was effortless—like a plane leaving glass. It didn’t hover. It didn’t waver. It just left.
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
With twelve bold wing spots and a wingspan built for elegance, this dragonfly looks like it belongs in an aerial ballet. Males patrol ponds like tiny helicopter pilots—part show-off, part sentry. They don’t sting, but their flight style says, “I could if I wanted.”
Two-tailed Swallowtail on Yellow Flower
The state butterfly of Arizona and a true showstopper. That second tail isn’t just for decoration—it’s thought to distract predators away from vital parts. Big, bright, and often mistaken for a leaf until it flutters—this butterfly is nature’s version of a parade float.
From beetles in grayscale to butterflies in technicolor, these five insects with wings each bring something different to the garden party. The hairstreak sticks close to home, the swallowtail floats in like royalty, and the wasp drinks with the posture of a yoga master. The dragonfly dazzles with aerial maneuvers, while the ashy beetle reminds us that not every bug needs to sparkle to be fascinating. Together, they prove that wings aren’t just for birds—and that if you slow down and look closely, even the smallest flyers have stories worth catching.
Today, I’m contributing a few of my favorite insects: a dragonfly, a hairstreak butterfly, a beetle, and a wasp. They may be small, but they know how to make an entrance—and sometimes steal the whole show.
So, pull up a leaf, a log, or a lens and enjoy the tiny wonders. And don’t forget to share your winged creature—bird, bug, bat, or butterfly. If it’s airborne, it belongs here.
Next week’s theme is still up in the air. Feel free to suggest one—or surprise us. Thanks for visiting, and thanks for playing Winged Wednesday!
Ashy Gray Beetle
Not your classic ladybug, but possibly a close cousin in disguise. This beetle’s matte finish and muted color suggest it's more into subtlety than show. Still—don’t let the plain paint job fool you. Beetles make up nearly 40% of all known insects. Statistically speaking, Earth is basically run by beetles.
Juniper Hairstreak on a Daisy
Small, green, and hard to spot unless it's posing politely on a daisy. The Juniper Hairstreak sticks close to its namesake tree and flashes that zigzag pattern like a tiny forest sprite. Most butterflies wander far—this one’s more of a homebody with style.
Yellow Paper Wasp on Water
This yellow paper wasp settled right onto the surface of the water, drinking calmly as if it had all afternoon. Legs splayed wide, tension intact, it floated with perfect balance. When it finished, takeoff was effortless—like a plane leaving glass. It didn’t hover. It didn’t waver. It just left.
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
With twelve bold wing spots and a wingspan built for elegance, this dragonfly looks like it belongs in an aerial ballet. Males patrol ponds like tiny helicopter pilots—part show-off, part sentry. They don’t sting, but their flight style says, “I could if I wanted.”
Two-tailed Swallowtail on Yellow Flower
The state butterfly of Arizona and a true showstopper. That second tail isn’t just for decoration—it’s thought to distract predators away from vital parts. Big, bright, and often mistaken for a leaf until it flutters—this butterfly is nature’s version of a parade float.
From beetles in grayscale to butterflies in technicolor, these five insects with wings each bring something different to the garden party. The hairstreak sticks close to home, the swallowtail floats in like royalty, and the wasp drinks with the posture of a yoga master. The dragonfly dazzles with aerial maneuvers, while the ashy beetle reminds us that not every bug needs to sparkle to be fascinating. Together, they prove that wings aren’t just for birds—and that if you slow down and look closely, even the smallest flyers have stories worth catching.
