Tendrils

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 is almost one inch in length. Not only itself a beautiful color, it spends time on gorgeous Asters and Goldenrods, host plants of the Brown-hooded Owlet. The caterpillars feed on the Asters and Goldenrods, but as adult moths, they do not eat at all.

These caterpillars are found in the northeastern United States and close by Canada.

The splendor of nature is out there just waiting to be found.

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Goldenrod Doesn’t Cause Hay Fever

Goldenrod (Solidago). There are more than 100 species of Goldenrod native here and there, throughout North America. A beautiful plant that I enjoy seeing along trails here in the mountains and in my gardens.

A misconception, Goldenrod does not cause hay fever. Goldenrod blooms have large, heavy and sticky pollen grains. Certainly not pollen grains that would be swept away by the wind.

Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). One of the culprits which does produce hay fever. BEWARE.

A single plant of Ragweed can create a billion grains of pollen each season. And since it depends upon wind pollination, it must produce that much pollen to be successful.

There are 17 species of Ragweed in North America. This is another of them, Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida).

I think it’s sad and ironic that Goldenrod and Ragweed grow in the same environments. Ragweed blooms are green, drab, uninteresting, get little notice. Goldenrod blooms a lovely, brilliant yellow, and are quite eye catching. And since Goldenrod gets noticed and well remembered, it gets the blame for hay fever.

Please remember. Goldenrod does not contribute to hay fever.

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Tiny Skippers

Yesterday afternoon several Sachem Skippers (Atalopedes campestris) were found on patches of Mist Flower (Conoclinium coelestinum) flitting from flower to flower.

They’re plentiful here in Virginia from July through September. Their host plants are many grasses, including Crab Grass, and Bermuda Grass. Adults feed on the nectar of a vast assortment of flowers.

The wingspan of the Sachem Skipper is between 1 to 1.5 inches. Pretty small.

Keep your eyes open. Notice what is around you. The world of nature is there, just waiting to be discovered.

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Hoary Edge Skipper

Hoary Edge Skipper (Achalarus lyacides) Native to the eastern United States. Adults active April through September. Caterpillars eat leaves of plants in the Legume family. As adults, they eat the nectar of various flowering plants, including Common Milkweed, New Jersey Tea and Buttonbush. A small Skipper with a wingspan of 1.5 to 1.75 inch.

They’re out there, fluttering now. Watch for them!

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Pushing The Season

**Solomon’s Plume (Maianthemum racemosum)**

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 why I celebrate the meteorological seasons.

**Berries (technically drupes) on Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)**

Each season is looked upon in one of two ways. The astronomical seasons, which rely upon our planet, Earth’s, position as it rotates around the sun.

**Drupes of Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)**

And the meteorological seasons, which depend on annual changes of temperatures.

**A Red Maple (Acer rubrum) leaf has fallen on Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)**

Each system has the same 4 seasons that we know and love. Each with slightly different dates for beginning and ending. The meteorological seasons start just a bit before the astronomical seasons. I’m always ready for change. The next season.

**Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) drupes**

Spring, summer, autumn and winter. Some of them loved more than others, depending on the person.

And now, as of today, we are in meteorological autumn. Many changes will happen until the next change of seasons, going from autumn into winter.

That’s my favorite. WINTER. But I’ll be patient and enjoy autumn while it’s here.

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Compound Leaves

From Oxford Lanuages, the definition of a compound leaf: a leaf of a plant consisting of several or many distinct parts (leaflets) joined to a single stem.

The Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) has compound leaves, up to 24 inches long, often ending with two leaflets rather than the single leaflet that one might expect. There are sometimes up to 23 leaflets, with finely serrated edges, making up a leaf.

A participant of autumn color, turning yellow earlier than many of the other trees.

While the leaves are on the trees, they create beautiful, intricate patterns against the blue sky. Those patterns captivate me. One of these days I should do a painting of those patterns.

Their journey into autumn has begun, some leaflets turning from rich green to striking yellow individually, as leaflets. Not as a whole leaf. Doing their own thing, falling to the ground independent of the others.

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A Neighbor’s Visit

What a delightful surprise this evening to see a Black Bear (Ursus americanus), stopping by for a visit. A young one, but old enough to be out and independent, a teenager. I was pleased to see it looking quite healthy, with no signs of sarcoptic mange. Excellent!

As I saw it nibbling on this green spear, I thought, “You don’t really want to eat that Yucca (Yucca filamentosa), do you? No, I didn’t think so.”

It let me get several photographs, then it was time for me to raise up my arms and yell. Get outa here! Be GONE! And it was indeed, gone in a flash!

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Tickseed Sunflower

Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens frondosa). An annual herbaceous plant in the Aster (Asteraceae) family.

Tickseed Sunflower is native to North America, and widespread across the continent.

Looking at the flower of Tickseed Sunflower, it seems to me there is something missing – the ray flowers. But in some circumstances there are a few, very short ray flowers. For the most part though there are only disk flowers.

The leaves look a bit like they’ve been created by taking shiny green paper and cutting the edges with pinking sheers. Quite attractive.

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Another Flower Fly

This Flower Fly is an Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus geminatus). A very small critter of about 1/4 inch long. Found hovering around flowers from which they feed on nectar and pollen in the eastern and central United States and Canada. The larvae dine on various aphids and mites.

They also enjoy landing on sweaty arms. For them a source of moisture and salt. One of my favorite insects.

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Relax, They Don’t Sting

As is often the case, this critter has many common names. One of the common names repeats what some people would automatically think — Yellowjacket! That common name, Yellowjacket Hover Fly. The common name that I prefer to use is Virginia Flower Fly (Milesia virginiensis). A more friendly name, which these insects certainly are. They do not sting and are harmless to humans.

Not only does it look like a Yellowjacket, it’s flight around flowers mimics the actions of Yellowjackets, further enhancing the deception. And at 3/4 inch that adds to the intimidation. But they are important pollinators that should bring no concern to us.

Virginia Flower Fly larvae can be found in decaying heartwood of deciduous trees. Adults are active mid summer to early fall.

A fascinating case of imitation in the world of nature.

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