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Coppery Leafhopper
Coppery Leafhopper (Jikradia olitoria). A tiny member of the Leafhopper family (Cicadellidae), measuring in at 1/4 to 5/16 inch. They’re found in eastern North America. Colors are variable, ranging from a brown-gray, to a very dark brown, to a dark blue, to a light dull yellow. So many little things to notice in this world.…
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White-marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Looking something like a Yorkshire Terrier, or a dragon in a Chinese New Year parade, a White-marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar (Orgyia leucostigma). Not a caterpillar to be picked up since those cute hairs can easily puncture your skin and cause hives and a skin rash. Those four white tufts on the right side can also…
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Barn With Morning Glories
A favorite barn. I pass it every morning as I travel to yoga, often stopping to get photographs. Everyday brings new changes. Precipitation. Sunlight. Bales of hay. Shadows. Cows. Snow. Torrents of rain. Many years of images of this barn. This, one of many at the top of my list of favorite times I’ve stopped.…
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Early Autumn’s Gorgeous Tree
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica), showing off in early autumn with a few leaves of knock your socks off scarlet among its many leaves that are still rich green. This one has fallen away from the tree to rest on a rock cushioned with moss. Black Gum is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to eastern North…
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Oil Beetle
Roaming through the autumn leaves, an Oil Beetle (Meloe). If you see one, don’t pick it up. They have a defensive tactic to discourage predators. When provoked a bright orange, oily, poisonous chemical, called cantharidin will be released. This chemical on human skin will create very painful blisters. A good sized beetle judging by the…
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Showing Off Its Crimson Side
Happy first day of astronomical autumn. Quite the rainy day here but it’s time to celebrate nonetheless. First I’ll celebrate that I’m getting rain. Hooray! Something that is needed to a huge degree. Second I’m celebrating AUTUMN. Hallelujah! Lovely, warm colors all over the woods. Celebrating with me are the Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus florida). They’re…
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A Lizard Again
Well, finally! I haven’t seen an Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) in eons. The last photo I have of one is from September of 2015. I’ve been wondering where they’ve been. What they’re up to. That top photo is the one I saw yesterday morning. A little one. About 4 inches long. They range in…
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Maryland State Flower
So happy to find a new vendor at the Greene County Farmers Market. Lauren Taylor (www.belovedbrook.com) is selling native plants. Ah! Lauren is speaking my language. Several weeks ago I got Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) plants from Lauren. My first time to have the Maryland state flower. I’ve had other Black-eyed Susans but these are…
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Alvin?
Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) The Eastern Chipmunk lives in wooded areas with deciduous trees, whether up here in the mountains, or in suburban areas with woods or parks around. They’re found throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada. These Chipmunks like rocky areas, with brush piles, and dense shrubs to provide cover. Small creatures, they are…