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Maximilian Sunflower
The Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani). It seems White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) eat nearly anything but they will at least think twice before chomping down on this plant which has leaves and stems that are densely covered in coarse hairs. It can be found in central and eastern North America, and grows from 3 to 10…
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Yellow Stripes On Goldenrod
A Locust Borer (Megacyllene robiniae), enjoying its favorite meal of the pollen and nectar of Goldenrod (Solidago). Its length is about 3/4 in long. With its black coloring and yellow stripes it can easily be mistaken for a Yellowjacket or other wasp or hornet. The Locust Borer is a species of Longhorned Beetle. It is…
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A Unicorn That Eats Leaves
Unicorn Caterpillar (Coelodasys unicornis) Caterpillars are amazing creatures that take on all sorts of shapes and colors. This one, of course, takes its name because of its unique shape. They’re not particular about what they eat, munching on the leaves of a variety of woody ornamental plants such as apple, cherry, and rose. The Unicorn…
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A Fungus
White Coral Jelly Fungus (Sebacina sparassoidea) A severe drought and no mushrooms. Finally it rains and there they are again. The White Coral Jelly Fungus grows in eastern North America, most often near dead Oak trees, though sometimes on or near other deciduous trees. These fruit bodies show up in late summer. Mushrooms fascinate me.…
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Start Of School, Can Autumn Be On Its Way?
School has started here, and in some locations much earlier, that means autumn is thinking of making a showing. Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) will soon be blooming, tempting bees, butterflies and the last of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. This butterfly, a Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), has been tempted by the nectar of the Pineapple Sage and…
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Both Sides Of A Butterfly
A Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis). This is the ventral side of this butterfly. Wings up and closed. You are seeing the bottom side of its wings. And this is the dorsal side of a Red-spotted Purple. The top side. As in this species of butterfly, butterflies often have very different looks, dorsal and ventral sides.…
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Another Robber Fly
A week ago I did a post about a very small Robber Fly (Gnat Oger) (Holcocephala fusca). Tonight’s post is about a Robber Fly (Promachus rufipes) that is one of the largest of the Robber Flies, measuring in at 1.25″ to 1.5″. These Robber Flies are ravenous predators. One will find the perfect spot, perching…
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A Favorite
Blackberry Lily (Iris domestica) Not a native. Native to Asia. But still it is one of my favorites – a rhizomatous perennial. The seed pod that will split open to display a cluster of seeds which resemble a Blackberry. Thomas Jefferson grew this beautiful flower in his gardens. Me too. ________________________________ If you would like…
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A Very Pleasant Surprise
Totally delighted to see a Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) caught in a spider’s web today. Yes, some spiders will eat SLFs. Yay! Eat’em up little spiders! Though I wish there was some way to easily control these recently (2014) arrived insects from Asia, I have my doubts that potential predators – insects, such as Praying…