-
Camouflage Maven
Quite the magician when it comes to changing color. Three species of Crab Spider (Thomisidae) have the ability to perform this amazing change, and it is only the female of the species. This school bus yellow Crab Spider is perched on Goldenrod (Solidago), awaiting her unsuspecting dinner to come by. These Crab Spiders normally change…
-
A Look Of Things To Come
Winged Sumac (Rhus copallina), putting on a display appropriate for the end of summer. Many shades of green, including chartreuse, yellows melting into orange, orange becoming red. Luscious autumnal colors. Happening now. Not the entire expanse of leaves but just here and there. Oh, season change! I LOVE IT! _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to…
-
American Lady On Lavender
So many stunning butterflies. This is one of those beauties. An American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis). These three images, the same butterfly on Lavender. Mmm, can you smell it?! The American Lady has a wide distribution, found from southern Canada, down into the United States, and further into northern South America. Somehow some manage to be…
-
A Butterfly Or Bat
A dark form of Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) on Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Hmm, getting ready for Halloween? _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
-
Trying To Be Patient
Sitting here twiddling my thumbs as my computer works with my external hard drive, which is filled with my many, many, many photographs. There are inconsistencies (groan) that it is dealing with. This will take hours to fix. In the meantime, here are a couple pictures that are a treasure to me. A baby Common…
-
To Each His Own
Butterflies on the road going up the mountain. The one on the left a Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis), the one on the right a Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele). Both these butterflies love to hang out at mud puddles, rotting fruit, and in this case, on scat. All are a source of nutrients for the…
-
Pennsylvania Leatherwing
Pennsylvania Leatherwing (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus). A member of the Soldier Beetle family, Cantharidae. Native to North America. These Leatherwings are on Wild Ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum), though I’ve read their favorite color is yellow, such as Goldenrod. I guess they are not that particular. They are considered a great pollinator. And they love to eat aphids, as…
-
Wild Petunia
Wild Petunia (Ruellia) is in bloom right now. It’s native to the eastern and central United States. It isn’t particular about the location where it grows. Moist, dry, sun, partial shade, most any soil type. In bloom May to October. I’ve seen these flowers growing wild at the yoga studio where I can often be…
-
A Beautiful Mint
Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum) is in bloom in the mountains now and will continue blooming for about 6 weeks. The flowers attract many pollinators. It’s a perennial that will grow in colonies from shallow rhizomes. If it’s really in the perfect location, you might find it growing to 5 feet tall. Native to the…