Celebrating the ordinary
In my experiment with fermented insect bait, my greatest surprise has been the regular appearance of two cicada killer wasps (Sphecius speciosus). I’ve seen them in the backyard before, and they are always flying fast and low to the ground. It’s been a treat to see them up close on the feeder. 
Continue reading “Life and death in the backyard – cicada killer wasp”
I’ve put out fermented bait (rotten fruit, etc.) to attract butterflies and moths. However, for the last three nights I’ve been surprised to find an ivory-marked beetle (Eburia quadrigeminata) that has come to feed. This is the first one I’ve ever seen and I think it’s quite handsome. It apparently doesn’t bite, although I didn’t test it.
Harry and I recently hiked to the Rock Garden, one of our favorite spots at Natural Bridge State Park. Among other things we enjoyed seeing a Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata). It doesn’t look at all like a tiger – the name refers to the fact that they hunt other insects.
Continue reading “Six-spotted Tiger Beetle and Purple Phacelia”
Harry and I recently went to Natural Bridge State Resort Park near Slade, KY, one of our favorite places to hike. Our spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is blooming (read last year’s spicebush post), and I was pleased to find it scattered through the woods as well.
With all of our recent warm weather, plants are a good two weeks ahead of their usual schedules and there were plenty of signs of spring.
I often review my photos at the end of the year and I found a few from last summer that I’d like to share.
How about this Grapevine Beetle (Pelidnota punctata)? I was surprised and delighted to know we had such a striking creature in our backyard.
