Summer Roadtrip on Virginia highways!Another plus..... the view keeps your backseat drivers busy ;0)
Photos by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Wednesday
Ahhhh... If it not for those beautiful roadside flowers our summer excursions might be a bit mundane. Bursts of yellow joy!
Summer Roadtrip on Virginia highways!Tuesday
Is it time to go outside yet? Kitty loves to watch the birds from the front window.
But we know he would rather be watching them on the other side of the glass ;0) He gets his daily supervised stroll most every day and he anxiously looks forward to it. As a senior fellow now he sometimes cuts his walk short and heads toward the backdoor to be let in..... after visiting the catnip of course. He's a sweety!Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Dragonfly resting on log in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Beautiful brown & black Dragon Fly sunbathing on a fallen log in the woodland. A very evasive fellow. (click on image to enlarge)Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
As graceful and serene as she is patient - The Chinese Praying Mantid
Do you see the Catalpa Sphinx Caterpillar she is spying?
Ever watchful is the Preying Mantis.....and patience is a virtue!
(click on images to enlarge)
Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Chinese Praying Mantid - Adult hunting among beautiful blue & pink flowers. This one could write a book about "30 minute meals" but would you buy it?
If you have a weak stomach you had better not look at this photograph! Prey being devoured.
I confess that the preying mantis is my favorite insect. They appear so intelligent with their inquiring gaze..... and yet are ferocious merciless killers! (click on image to enlarge)Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Tiny Colorful Spider waiting in its web - Taken in bright sunlight.
Warming in the morning light this small spider seems quite content as it awaits breakfast.Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Monday
Summertime Nightwish - Dreaming of a Winter Wonderland.
Winter 2007 - Our front yard view - Wishful thinking in the hot & humid summer heat ;0)First Morning Light - Sun shining through the woodland.
There is nothing like sharing the first rays of morning sun with that first cup of coffee. A relaxing start to the day..... truly a moment of introspection.Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Eastern Box Turtle - NO I will NOT come out!!!!!
In most cases the box turtle is more secure from harm while retracted in its shell. Except when in the middle of the road! Oh my! I brake for wildlife..... don't you?Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Huckleberries - A pie on the way!
Big beautiful green berries hanging low to the ground in a Virginia woodland. When ripe they become dark purple..... and taste so good!Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Chinese Juvenile Praying Mantid - Patiently awaiting an insect visitor for lunch.
Nice camouflage!Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Dragonfly in Chesterfield County, Virginia - Lying in wait.
Ambushing is a talent the Dragonfly has down pat, quick & precise capture of an insect meal being a survival necessity. (click on image to enlarge)Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Small bee on small flower - Lingering to rest on a hot humid day.
Or maybe simply guarding its daisy-like blossom? Might be a Carpenter Bee. Other small bees to see here: http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=small+beePhoto taken by a friend.... thanks again ;0)
Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Hungry Wasp - A tastey morsel destined possibly as food for its young.
Wasps are not my favorite insect as their sting is not pleasant to endure. As a child I was treated with a paste made from baking soda and water for bee stings. Don't know if it really helped but at least it was proactive to lesson the tears ;0) See other wasps here: http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=wasp&search=SearchPhotograph supplied by a good friend..... thanks!
Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Leaf Hoppers and unidentified insect - See if you can discover what it might be at Bugguide.net.
More about leaf hoppers here http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=leaf+hopper then you may search the site to identify the other critter ;0)Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Two's Company - Skipper Butterflies - Fast and agile they skip from flower to flower with amazing speed.
Being so quick to move on to that next flower is what made it so difficult to capture these butterflies' picture. Patience prevails. It appeared that they were certainly a "couple" as they always traveled together. Bugguide.net has more information http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=skipper&search=Search about these cute little insects.Image by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Sunday
White Robin Bird - Yes I had to look twice too.... then ran for my Canon Rebel XT! Seen in Richmond, Virginia.
I apologize for the bad image as this one was taken "on the fly." The birds actually were a good distance away..... a very shy bird, the white one, as the other Robin Red Breast is a regular visitor. I can certainly understand why it's shy as the mutant albino color makes it an easy mark for predators. Haven't seen it again since but hope all is well with this rare Robin that graced my front yard this summer.Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Small Milkweed Bug - Lygaeus kalmii - Resting on a flower.
Guess it got tired of milkweed..... ;0) Interesting little fellow. See more images via Bugguide.net here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/460/bgimagePhoto by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
American Lady Butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis) on White Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) - Having a leisurely snack to feed a "sweet tooth?"
Bugguide.net has this to say about this lovely flying insect: http://bugguide.net/node/view/488Also shown is the White Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea - White Swan) which is a perennial and quite easy to grow.
Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Queen Anne's Lace flower with tiny black ants in attendance. Some call it a weed... I call it an unsurpassed beauty!
What a gorgeous work of art. Thanks again Mother Nature!(click on image to see the ants ;0)
Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Bright Green Grasshopper or baby Katydid or ?..... on dandelion in backyard nature habitat!
He's tiny but makes a big impact with his bright green color..... and quick moving too! A real high jumper ;0) Photo donated by a good friend..... thanks!Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Saturday
Northern Copperhead Snake - Chesterfield County, Virginia
(click on images to enlarge)Photographs by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County
All my images are copyright protected with
all rights reserved by me! Carolyn Hietala
Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County
All my images are copyright protected with
all rights reserved by me! Carolyn Hietala
Daddy Long Legs - Harvestmen - Opiliones - Grandaddy Long Legs - A Virginia resident whatever the name!
Legs so long they didn't fit this photograph ;0) For more info: http://bugguide.net/node/view/2405 & also http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/relatives/daddy/daddy.htm(click on photos to enlarge)
Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Tobacco Hornworm or Carolina Sphinx Caterpillar... by either name it is eating my tomato plants!
These Sphinx Moth caterpillars are voracious eating machines! In lieu of insecticides why not pick them off and give your child an opportunity to witness their transformation into moths? They can be housed in a large jar and as long as they are supplied with plenty of tomato leaves will grow quite rapidly. An easy way to keep them clean..... have two jars and move them to the clean one with fresh leaves each new day. A nice science project! (click on images to supersize)For more info about these insects: Bugguide.net.... http://bugguide.net/node/view/3244#names
The sweet smell of Honeysuckle blossoms carried by a gentle summer breeze. What a pleasure.
Honeysuckle vines can be quite invasive but all is forgiven when in full bloom. Their perfume teases our senses with every breeze that passes our way and lingers in the still summer heat. Thank you Mother Nature!Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Huckleberry Blossoms. Huckleberry Pie! What a rare treat... but not this year. Mice stole them before they got ripe.
The flowers are almost hidden by the foliage and so tiny & delicate. The fruit turns from green to purple but I didn't get the pleasure of picking them this year. Dry weather kept them on the plants longer and before they could ripen the mice and birds feasted..... along with help from our dog ;0(Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Wasp on yellow flower. Scolia nobilitata?
(click on image to enlarge) It might be a Scolia nobilitata but only an entomologist would know for sure ;0) Anyway it is just one more insect that hangs out on another beautiful creation of Mother Nature...... the flower!photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Friday
Master of camouflage clothing! This grasshopper is quite adept at it.
While spending most of its time in the backyard grass, if disturbed this grasshopper knows where to hide..... in the adjoining woodland where it simply "disappears" before our very eyes. Pretty smart huh?photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Thursday
Honeybee on Brown Eyed Susan flower. Pollination & making honey are both important to bees.
Hardworking bees fill that honey jar on our tables. I for one enjoy honey as my sweetener of choice in a cup of hot tea..... what about you? (click on the image to see all the detail in this little insect)photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Wednesday
Eastern Black Tiger Swallowtail emerges from chrysalis. Now the mystery is solved!
(click on image to supersize) I posted an image of the chrysalis a few days ago and only had guessed what might emerge..... and now here is what the treasure box contained..... in all its glory ;0) Now it begins the final chapter of its existance. Gorgeous butterfly!Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Tuesday
The Pickeral Frog loves a wetland habitat. This one resides in a Virginia backyard.
The Pickeral remains still as a stone while patiently waiting for insects to wander close. I was able to get within a few inches of it to obtain photographs. What trust!photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Monday
Cicada on oak tree. Multitudes are singing a love chorus following a summer thunderstorm.
(click on photographs to enlarge) Cicadas are one of the longest living insects spending most of their life underground. Bugguide.net reveals further information about these singing Arthropods: http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=cicadaimages by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Sunday
Garden Spider photographs... Black & Yellow Argiope Aurantia.
(don't forget to click on images to enlarge!) I have been observing this beautiful spider for weeks now while picking tomatoes from my garden. Aside from the obvious fact that it has grown quite large, I have noticed that its web building abilities have certainly improved... practice makes perfect ;0)photos by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Friday
Butterfly Chrysalis found "just hanging around" in Chesterfield County. Possibly a Swallowtail but won't be sure until it emerges.
Discovered hanging on the side of my home, this chrysalis is concealing an amazing metamorphosis of one of nature's most beautiful creatures.... the butterfly!photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Wednesday
Male Trapdoor Spider on the prowl! Richmond Virginia backyard habitat is home to this arachnid.
Wikipedia has this to say about this interesting and seldom seen relative of the Tarantula: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapdoor_spiderphotograph copyrighted by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Thursday
Sketchers & Butterfly Friend. Summer brings us much closer to nature as evidenced in this photograph.
My friend caught this image a few weeks ago while following this little butterfly around for that "perfect shot." I think she definitely must have made a nature friend that day!Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/
Sunday
"David And Goliath" Survival of the fittest? Or just a really strong web!
Mother Nature sure supplied this little spider with all the right instincts to snare this giant arachnid! Amazing isn't it.Photo copyrighted by Carolyn Hietala
Friday
Photographed a small garden spider in my garden today. Thanks for protecting my "fried green tomatoes!"
In reality, I do know this spider is not residing amongst my tomato plants with the express intention of "doing me a favor...."but THANKS anyway! Beats using insecticides?
(click on image to enlarge to see if you can figure out what it's having for breakfast)
Just got to love Mother Nature ;0)
photo by Carolyn Hietala
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