Monday, June 22, 2015
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Monday, June 15, 2015
Spring Re-emergence
I've returned to the blog-o-sphere with a new, functioning camera, a Canon EOS T5i.
It was a beautiful day with lots of bugs to find. I'm not sure what kind the Spotted Towhee bird found. As for the others, I think the butterfly is a fritillary, maybe a Northwestern. The ant is herding her aphid cows on a yucca. The green (or gray depending on your point of view) sweat bee is in the flower of a ball nipple cactus. The hover fly is on a daisy, I'm not sure if it's a spreading or a sprawling daisy. Finally, the unknown species of dragonfly is on some thistle relative. Sorry for the lack of specificity on that last one.
It was a beautiful day with lots of bugs to find. I'm not sure what kind the Spotted Towhee bird found. As for the others, I think the butterfly is a fritillary, maybe a Northwestern. The ant is herding her aphid cows on a yucca. The green (or gray depending on your point of view) sweat bee is in the flower of a ball nipple cactus. The hover fly is on a daisy, I'm not sure if it's a spreading or a sprawling daisy. Finally, the unknown species of dragonfly is on some thistle relative. Sorry for the lack of specificity on that last one.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
The Knowledge Dogs Protect Us From
I found out during spring yard cleaning. It was nerve wracking, but then I like creepy things. I also have a great first line of defense. Here's the background:
I occasionally circle the tennis courts and bring home the unwanted escapees. Go to Petsmart and three tennis balls are at least $5. I'm cheap. As you might guess, freebies lead to abundance. My backyard was carpeted with the things. May geek that I am, I wanted to count them so I organized them. Woofie was immediately interested, but then she loves to play ball. (See Imminent Tennis Ball Seizure.) I think it was her careful examination of each ball that made me notice at all. I grabbed the camera because I thought it was funny that she was being so picky. Sorry the pictures are a little rough.
She started to "kill" the ball, common dog play. I caught a glimpse of something shiny on the ball and was worried it was a tack or a nail. As I got closer, I realized that my previous double quotes needed to be edited out.
She realized I saw and decided to let me in on her secret. She apparently killed it before it could camouflage to an actual tennis ball again. Here's a closeup:
I never knew. I realize now just how much she does to protect us and keep us from worrying. I wanted to celebrate her prowess:
Here are some previous kills I found once I knew what to look for. The last two pictures, I think, indicate a scalped mutant and in a separate location its oddly crusted brain.
She started to "kill" the ball, common dog play. I caught a glimpse of something shiny on the ball and was worried it was a tack or a nail. As I got closer, I realized that my previous double quotes needed to be edited out.
She realized I saw and decided to let me in on her secret. She apparently killed it before it could camouflage to an actual tennis ball again. Here's a closeup:
I never knew. I realize now just how much she does to protect us and keep us from worrying. I wanted to celebrate her prowess:
Here are some previous kills I found once I knew what to look for. The last two pictures, I think, indicate a scalped mutant and in a separate location its oddly crusted brain.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
So What is It?
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Long Time...
For those of you who have been waiting, longing and pining for my next post. Here it is.
This is (as far as I can tell) the flower of a Carolina fanwort. Zoom in and you'll see the spiderling about to "balloon". A spiderling sends up a bit of spider silk, catches the wind and sails away to its new neighborhood. The spider species is ... uh ... I don't know, it's hard to tell with little ones.
As for why it's been so long, bummed-outted-ness. In a stupid accident, the drive with years of photos fell about three feet. Backups are sporadic due to lack of funds. Camera is failing, or lenses. Definite bummed-outted-ness. The data recovery is estimated to be between $800 and $900.
I'm still figuring out the whole emotional part of this event.
This is (as far as I can tell) the flower of a Carolina fanwort. Zoom in and you'll see the spiderling about to "balloon". A spiderling sends up a bit of spider silk, catches the wind and sails away to its new neighborhood. The spider species is ... uh ... I don't know, it's hard to tell with little ones.
As for why it's been so long, bummed-outted-ness. In a stupid accident, the drive with years of photos fell about three feet. Backups are sporadic due to lack of funds. Camera is failing, or lenses. Definite bummed-outted-ness. The data recovery is estimated to be between $800 and $900.
I'm still figuring out the whole emotional part of this event.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
That's One Impressive Pansy
Why are pansies considered weak? I guess calling someone a nosegay is too politically incorrect? Rose is a verb. Daisy is too Dukes of Hazard. Iris is anatomical. Poppy has drug inferences -- or sounds like your grandfather. Bird of paradise has amazingly narrow targeting potential. Day lily, night lily.
This pansy is one of hundreds taking over the neighborhood. Hardy little fellers.
Spider Satisfaction and Insect Fix
This summer has gone by very quickly. Our lives have been up in the air (see my Blogspot Pivot blog for more info), so we've not had enough adventures. But there are still insects and bugs for my jonesing.
The orange jumping spider is a species that I've caught up with twice, each individual had recently caught prey. I flipped the leaf over to get better lighting, but the spider wasn't overly eager to pose.
Next is a group of bees which are members of a mystery species. I saw a similar group a couple of years ago. Like last time, I spotted these near dusk. They congregate on grass seeds, some flying off and then coming back to the same stalk. I'm not sure what the social structure is, but they do seem to be a group of some sort so they aren't solitary, but then, I saw no evidence of a physical hive. I have to read some more bee books.
The orange jumping spider is a species that I've caught up with twice, each individual had recently caught prey. I flipped the leaf over to get better lighting, but the spider wasn't overly eager to pose.
Next is a group of bees which are members of a mystery species. I saw a similar group a couple of years ago. Like last time, I spotted these near dusk. They congregate on grass seeds, some flying off and then coming back to the same stalk. I'm not sure what the social structure is, but they do seem to be a group of some sort so they aren't solitary, but then, I saw no evidence of a physical hive. I have to read some more bee books.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Super Weevil
I was thrilled to get a good shot of both sets of wings. As amazing as they are though, beetles still look pretty comical when they fly.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Rubber Shell and Other Local Trash
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Web-cicles
Jumping spiders affix a safety line before making a jump. You can tell if a jumping spider has been around because of the single strands of thread draped over leaves and branches.
It got misty, windy and frozen quickly enough to form horizontal icicles.
It got misty, windy and frozen quickly enough to form horizontal icicles.
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