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Elderberry
Lots of Elderberry Bushes (Sambucus canadensis) are in bloom up here in the mountains. On a trip to Florida in early May, I saw many in bloom down there along the roadways, making me feel at home. Now I’ve got Elderberries blooming at the edge of the woods outside my cabin too thanks to Saint…
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Baltimore Checkerspot
Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton). I love so many butterflies. This is one of them. It’s the official state insect of Maryland. I was able to capture this photo of a Baltimore Checkerspot at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. The Baltimore Checkerspot larval host plant is White Turtlehead. If that plant is not available caterpillars will…
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Common Milkweed
Within just a few weeks this is what Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) will look like up here. It’s a great plant that benefits many insects. Flies, beetles, ants, bees, wasps, and butterflies will all gather ’round to join in the dinner buffet.
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Much Needed Rain
It’s been so dry. Rain has been forecast this day and that day and it has not happened. But today the weather gods came through for me. Just a few minutes and POOF! half an inch of rain had fallen. The precipitation added sparkle to the feathery foliage of asparagus in the vegetable garden. I…
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Bear Marking Territory
Ah! That feels so good! Sure looks like it, but that isn’t what is happening here. Black bears, young, mature, female, male, all bears mark trees, utility poles and wooden sign posts along their paths of travel. Most bears that do this marking are males during mating season. They do this marking by rubbing their…
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Cabbage White Butterfly
As summer arrives the Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) Butterfly is ubiquitous. A medium sized butterfly with a wingspan of 1.5 to 2 inches. Not a native to this continent but of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Cabbage White Butterfly larvae are a pest for anyone growing cruciferous plants in their vegetable garden. So, like a…
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Common Buckeye Butterfly
A beauty in the world of butterflies. Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia). It’s common in the southern states, along the California coast and in central America. Also found in other areas of the US, though not as commonly seen. Here at my cabin I see the Common Buckeye butterfly on apple mint, which is what it’s…
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Rose Campion
I’m a sentimental sort. Thinking back to my Mom’s gardens when I was little. The flowers that I’m able to remember are quite special to me. Nearly all of them don’t fit into what I select for my gardens now. Natives have become a main focus in choosing what gets planted at my cabin. That…
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Leaf-footed Bug
The Leaf-footed Bug (Acanthocephala terminalis) is found in the eastern United States west to Colorado and Texas. Adults are about an inch in length. Their antennae are in four segments, the last segment is orange, (this is what I normally see) or yellow or white. Their common name, shared with other species (making things a…
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Golden-backed Snipe Fly
Every year, in late May and early June I see Golden-backed Snipe Flies (Chrysopilus thoracicus) mating. These snipe flies are quite attractive with their golden thorax. Very little is known about them, even what they eat. Or whether the adults eat anything at all. The males have large eyes which meet, while the females have…