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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…
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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…
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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…
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Wingstem
A lovely expanse of Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), a member of the Asteraceae or Aster family. Wingstem can easily grow to 8 feet tall. A plant that is native to eastern and central North America. The bloom is a composite flower, each looks like a single flower but consists of a bunch of small individual flowers…
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Collared Lizard
Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, in the middle of New Mexico, between Tularosa, and Carrizozo. One of my favorite places to be. To see what is happening there in the world of nature. To be amazed by what happened back in 200-1450 AD, when beautiful artwork was created by Jornada Mogollon people. Over 21,000 petroglyphs just waiting…
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Treat After Yoga
Sitting there, stretched out, sunning itself, as I pulled up to the garage this morning after yoga. Not the least bit concerned that a pick-up truck had pulled up beside it. A handsome adult, Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps). Yes, a Skink, but also a type of Lizard. Look at that cute little face! Such a…
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Agreeable Tiger Moth Caterpillar
I took this image of an Agreeable Tiger Moth Caterpillar (Spilosoma congrua) a couple days ago. Agreeable Tiger Moths can be found throughout eastern North America. Their caterpillars eat Dandelions, Plantain, and a species of Amaranthus, called Pigweed. It was a surprise to look at this image, after loading the pictures onto my computer. The…
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Bounty Of Summer
The bounty of summer. Radish, zucchini and jalapeño pepper, and soon to be on the dinner table. These from the garden. Tomatoes of all sorts. This just a day’s harvest. Potatoes. Colors of all sorts. Another day. Another harvest. Another harvest. Peppers. Some hot, some not. All good! Oh, and I see a couple tomatoes…
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Dots Dots And More Dots
So many dots on the Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis). Host plant? Of course it is Hackberry trees (Celtis). As adults the butterflies live 6 to 14 days. During that very short period of time they seldom visit flowers for sustenance but instead get nutrients from rotting fruits and vegetables, carrion, scat, damp sand, tree sap…
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Plain Brown Butterfly With Sparkle
A little brown butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. Not a moth, I did say butterfly. A Gemmed Satyr (Cyllopsis gemma), which can be found in the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. On the ventral, or underside, of this butterfly’s wings, on the outer edges, there are lines of four round “gems”…