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Brown-hooded Owlet Caterpillar
The Brown-hooded Owlet caterpillar (Cucullia convexipennis). As a person who turns to all things art and color, this caterpillar truly speaks to me. It makes me think of the quilts that I have created over the years, to the pastel paintings that I’ve done, and more just waiting to happen. A small critter, this caterpillar…
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Pushing The Season
Each of these photographs, that I’ve posted here, represent the current changing of seasons. Going from summer to autumn. It is September 1st, after all, the first day of meteorological autumn. I love the change of season. No matter what season it currently is, I’m ready, and looking forward to the change. Which perhaps explains…
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Up Close
Under the blazing midday sun a Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) uses its long proboscis to sip nectar from a Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
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Joe Pye Weed
Native to eastern and central North America, Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium) blooms for us toward the end of summer. A tall one, often growing to between 5 and 7 feet tall. And if you’re curious, as I was, there is this from the New York Times. “AS the story goes, there once was an Indian medicine…
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Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Don’t miss the little things when you are out in nature. Little things in nature can be so cute, like this Banded Tussock moth caterpillar (Halysidota tessellaris). They look like tiny Yorkshire Terriers to me. Cute as they are though, don’t pick one up. Their furry coat can cause an itchy rash that will last…
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One Of Several Host Plants
The Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) on one of its many host plants. Silvery Checkerspots depend upon several composites as their host plants including Asters, Coneflowers, and Sunflowers. These two photos are of a species of Sunflower, Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus). _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up…
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Pennsylvania Leatherwing
Pennsylvania Leatherwing (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus). A member of the Soldier Beetle family, Cantharidae. Native to North America. These Leatherwings are on Wild Ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum), though I’ve read their favorite color is yellow, such as Goldenrod. I guess they are not that particular. They are considered a great pollinator. And they love to eat aphids, as…
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Green Stink Bug Revisited
Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris) can be found in most of eastern North America. Both adults and nymphs can cause injury to fruits, including stone fruits, vegetables, and field crops. Nymph of Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris). There are two things that I am thankful for regarding this Stink Bug. First, though I have seen…
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Worm-eating Warbler
Two days ago, a bird that I see only occasionally decided to make its presence known. A Worm
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Canadian Owlet Moth Caterpillar
Quite the impressive caterpillar. Caterpillar of the Canadian Owlet Moth (Calyptra canadensis). Native to most of Canada and the United States. Adults have a wingspan of a bit less than 1.5 inches and are pale brown, looking much like a dried up leaf, a perfect camouflage. The caterpillars of Canadian Owlet Moths feed exclusively on…