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2001.08.23.2020 Michigan Nuptual Flights 2001

Wow this is almost like clock work! On the 21st when I was swimming I noticed queens of a species of ants which I've seen in my yard which smell like citronella. Tonite as I was swimming I noticed the same species and decided to get out and come back home looking for nuptual flights. Turns out I discovered a colony of what appear to be a orangish camponotus (Rose Lake Nature area - Burke Lake - Bath, MI USA. Also as I walked home I definately saw that the Lasius Neonigers (??) were readying for the nuptual flight - indeed when I got home I confirmed this and captured at least 25 of them. I also captured a species of myrmica queen, and some other species I've not seen before. Also did bring home a queen and male I found at Rose lake. I also found the oddest queens I've ever seen - they are reddish and very elongated - managed to catch two of them noticing the coloration was somewhat different (one is brighter reddish than the other).. I'm pretty sure I saw at least 6-7 different species on nuptuals tonite. Looks like I'll have to be prepared for next year. I captured at least 30-40 queens - I also nabbed a drone, queen, and some workers from one nest so I could photograph them..
2001.08.23.0121 Primary Camera is down for repairs

Well my video camera used for cam #1 which also feeds the computer for the G2 has failed and needs to go in for repairs. I don't know how long this will take to get fixed (or how much) so for now I am stuck with my very old and tired Indy Cam. Live G2 video is down as well.
2000.08.24.2042 Michigan Nuptual Flights

Yesterday in Michigan there were a large number of nuptual flights. So many that it was reported in the news as "insect infestations" in most cases. I personally witnessed at least three species in my yard alone. I believe one was the common pavement ant (queens are about 5/8" inch in length and have a golden brown/tan color) - pictures to come shortly, the other was a species which I believe is referred to as the Pharoah Ant (very tiny a bright yellow). The last I'm still not sure is an ant since I have never seen the species before. From the video I saw on the news at the new Tiger Stadium I believe that the species there was Camponotus (1-1.25" queens). Very interesting that it seemed everyone took note of the infestation in the air and on the ground but yet had no clue as to the true reason for it. The main reason I believe is due to the fact that we in lower Michigan had thunderstorms move through the night before after a bit of a dry spell. It is commonly known that most nuptual flights occur either near sunrise and sunset and typically happen either before or after a heavy rain. This assures that the new queens are able to dig into the moist soil to start their new home.
2000.07.06.0054 Site Released

Ok. Decided to just release the new site. I will try to scan Bulletin Board stuff for questions. Links that are currently inactive. Search, Tours. Also Live G2 Video is down, links page is sparce. Pages are rough and will be filled in over time. I'm totally swamped with tons of other things. Camponotus arn't doing that well. Second colony (? species) is a queen off nuptual flight she now has 1 larvae and maybe 12-15 eggs on cam 2. I've been working mostly with my Formicas which are doing pretty well. I hope to work on a second Journal which will have many of the awsome pictures I've been taking. They don't seem to be a great cam subject as they are extremely light sensitive. Anyway take antcam it as it is. Hey it's free ya know.. I'll also try to be in chat on fridays between 6-9pm EST. I have endeavored to make everything non-java friendly, less bandwidth consuming, and have a cleaner style. New projects are a second photographic and text journal. A photographic guide to species and articles from a true ant hobbiest on starting, caring, feeding, etc. I am one person, two hands with so much work I could clone myself 5 times over and probably not get it done. So be patient with me.
2000.05.08.2259 Begin News Pages

Well started work on this news section. Things going like molasses in Liquid nitrogen! :(. In the past week I finally got the new Nikon Coolpix 990. This camera ROCKS! It took me a while to get appropriate lighting to produce a decent image in macro mode. I'm rather new to cameras and learning quickly. Even so here is the first image I took of my second Camponotus Colony (Queen + 3 minimae). Resolution is 1760x1250 pixels (103K). Subject dpi is on the order of 1500. Focus depth is good. Click here to see the full image. One thing I learned that I havn't noticed before which I can see on the camponotus quen is the same tri-spot arrangement on her head as the Formica Nitidiventris seen here.