Sweet Bay - Magnolia virginiana L. attracts White-tailed Deer - Leyland Cypress fall victim - List of Ornamentals Resistant to Deer damage

Our Virginia Whitetail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) enjoy browsing on young Sweet Bay along with acorns scattered about the woodland floor. More information on this wetland favoring native magnolia via Virginia Department of Forestry: http://www.dof.virginia.gov/trees/sweet-bay.shtml

This large Oak Tree gets regular visits from the bucks every year, rubbing their antlers on the bark.

On the opposite side of the Oak is a Leyland Cypress that recently received abuse from the deer.

From whence they come.....

Here is a list of ornamentals that are resistant to damage from deer via the University of Maryland - Cooperative Extension Service: http://www.wvu.edu/~Agexten/hortcult/treeshru/resistan.htm

Images by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Autumn comes to the Assassin - Yellow Hickory leaves speckled with brown make a colorful support for this Wheel Bug - Arilus cristatus linnaeus

With a large abdomen, this is a heavy bug as evidenced by the Hickory leaves sinking from its weight.

Chilly temperatures allowed me to take many pictures of this desirable garden occupant as she was quite sluggish.

On close inspection you can see all the tiny hairs that explain her "fuzzy" appearance. It is obvious why they are called Wheel Bugs by the hump resembling a wheel on the back.

I was a little wary of getting too close only from what I have read about the bite they can give. This Wheel Bug was super gentle and not aggressive at all!

(click on images to supersize..... and see all the fuzzy detail)

An extremely beneficial bug as it eats many insect pests according to this site by The University of Florida - Department of Entomology and Nematology: http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/wheel_bug.htm Just be careful and do not handle as it is said to be capable of giving a nasty bite!

Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

For Supper This Skipper Is Simply Sipping Sweet Dandelion Nectar - Now say that fast three times ;0)

Dandelion greens are said to be great in a salad if prepared removing the stems and ribs. I must try them sometime as a brief search for Dandelion greens on Google produced some very tempting salad recipes. I am able to say from personal experience that Dandelion WINE is the best! So sweet ;0)

Bugguide.net tells more about this quick little butterfly from the family Hesperiidae: http://bugguide.net/node/view/189

Images Compliments of a Good Friend..... Thanks again! I love the way the bright sun shines through the wings and flower petals on this one ;0) They glow with warmth.

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Yeah..... Just another Chinese Praying Mantis picture ;0)

Surprised Look on Sedum

Bugguide.net information on the Tenodera aridifolia sinensis: http://bugguide.net/node/view/10098

Nature Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Good Morning and Happy Hunting! This Chesterfield County spider is up early and ready for breakfast ;0)

It appears to be a Wolf Spider? If you wish to have a bit of fun..... visit all the spiders at Bugguide.net. It is an awesome place to go if you find a "bug" that you want to identify. Here is their site and give it a few seconds to load....LOADS of Insect Images: http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=spider&search=Search

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Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Once again this Graham Thomas English Rose bows in Reverance to Fall & In Memory of Mom

Mom's Yellow Rose and.....

an Oil Painting of.....

.....my Mother's rose resting in a Hall's Jewel Tea teacup & saucer (Autumn Leaf pattern..... how appropriate!) For reference I took a photograph of her rose that was backlit with brilliant afternoon sunshine. The result was a rose that literally glowed with amazing yellows..... I love it when that happens ;0) I just had to paint it in oils and will paint this rose again many times over.

See the step-by-step painting progression here:

http://paintingadaycarolynhietala.blogspot.com/2007/07/halls-jewel-tea-teacup-yellow-rose.html

The Summer before she was abruptly taken from this world, I took Mom to The Great Big Greenhouse here in Richmond to purchase her favorite flower..... the Rose! Along with some other rose bushes, this was one of her choices to bring home to her garden. She passed in the Fall so naturally when these beautiful yellow blossoms return for their second bloom in Autumn each year..... I think of her.

Photo & Oil Painting by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

As Autumn Leaves approach their death..... so must this Carolina namesake forever say goodbye ;0(

Each new day is a celebration of life.....

so live well in appreciation of this precious gift ;0)

Nature Art Mantis Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Oyster Mushroom - This very large fungus called Pleurotus Ostreatus is found in Richmond, Virginia

Dining on the Oyster Mushroom is these guys specialty!

They can devour it in short order with the help of various other fungus connoisseurs.

(click on photos to supersize these little slices of life)

This discriminating beetle is of the family Ciidae.

Bugguide.net shows other family members here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/37334/bgpage

The smell of the mushroom is very mild.

A very old Tulip Poplar is dying.


Tom Volk has more information about mushrooms here: http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/oct98.html

As always you should properly identify any mushroom prior to considering it edible! If unsure at all..... leave it for the beetles ;0)

Nature Photographs by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

What do Asters and Mantids have in common?

Why enjoying the company of insect visitors of course!

Bumblebees hang around ;0)

Butterflies play too! Backfield in motion!


Beautiful decor..... Virginia wildflowers!


My favorite "fast food" hangout for convenient & speedy service!

(don't forget to click on images to supersize)

Nature Photographs by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Double Trouble for the Garden Pests - Twin Egg Cases - Chinese Praying Mantid

(click on photos to enlarge)

This phenomenon occurred naturally outdoors in my flower garden. If the Preying Mantis mothers had been captives then I would not be surprised at the find. This Tulip Poplar must have seemed the best choice of all the other saplings in the area to deposit their eggs on! It turns out that both cases were visited by a parasite or some other hungry invader (note the deep holes) so it might not have been such a good idea ;0( I will protect them anyway on my porch until Spring comes to the garden. They might still be intact enough to hatch.

Photos by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Autumn Sunrise This Morning! - HAVE A NICE DAY to all you Richmond Virginia Bloggers..... and don't forget the latte ;0)

It may be a bit chilly this morning but seeing this Fall Sunrise may at least Warm Up Your Heart..... and adding a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks couldn't hurt either..... just for good measure!

Photo compliments of a good friend..... thanks again!

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Immature Juvenile - Thinks even though he's standing still that we can't SEE him!

Oh Grow UP!

Baby Grasshopper Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://paintingadaycarolynhietala.blogspot.com/

Find it in your heart - Leave some Poke Weed in your yard! - Poke Berries are a favorite of Bluebirds in the Fall & Winter ;0)

Last year flocks of Bluebirds and Robins invaded the Pokeweed patches. In just a few days the plants were stripped bare of their fruit. That is why I left even more of these plants alone to mature this year..... to feed the birds again.

No these weeds are not very attractive but.....

.....the birds clearly don't feel the same way as we do about them.

With the draught we are experiencing now, any help we can give our feathered friends will be appreciated. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..... or the tummy of a bird?

Ever heard of the song (Polk) Poke Salad Annie? Just remember that pokeberries or mature pokeweed plants are NOT for human consumption. More information is given here at the Georgetown University Medical Center website: http://www8.georgetown.edu/departments/physiology/cam/urbanherbs/pokeweed.htm

Photos by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Male Dragonfly - Blue Dasher? Am no expert on identification of Dragonflies ;0)

Bugguide.net has this information on the Pachydiplax longipennis: http://bugguide.net/node/view/598

(click on image to supersize)
Nature Photograph copyrighted - Compliments of a Good Friend..... Thanks again!
Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Mushroom - Small, Meek & All Alone In This Big Big World..... A Pixie With Personality ;0)

Not perfect.....

with its creased little hat tipped to one side.....

but that's OK.

This mini mushroom is appreciated just the same ;0)

Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Are our Honeybees destined to be..... just a blur in our memories? Ghosts of our insect world? CBS aired "What's Wrong with the Bees" on 60 Minutes

This is not just another scary ghost story.....

.....as our Honey Bees ARE in real trouble all over the world.

Here is a link to the story that aired on 60 Minutes last night 10/28/07 (along with video) via CBSNEWS.com: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/25/60minutes/main3407762.shtml
Nature Photos by Carolyn Hietala

When it rains it pours - Then out come the Two-lined Salamanders of Virginia! - Eurycea bislineata - Colorful Autumn Leaves are a perfect background

Walking my Miniature Pinscher turns into a NATURE WALK every time ;0) This was a lucky find indeed. It might be a Eurycea cirrigera..... not sure. With a wetland habitat on my property, I am able to discover so many interesting creatures. Protect our WETLANDS please. More information about this salamander is found at this NPWRC website: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/herps/amphibid/species/eurybis.htm

Photos by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Goodbye Yellow Tomatoes ;0( - HELLO Fried Green Tomatoes!

Autumn comes to Tomatoes too. That is why I have dehydrated lots of Yellow Tomatoes this year. Placed in airtight containers, the slices can be used straight from the freezer for pizzas, as garnish, in veggie wraps or my favorite way..... eaten just as they are..... soooooo sweet as a snack! Very Addicting ;0)

Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Autumn brings Grass Seeds for the birds to feast upon this Winter - In such a beautiful form - Glowing in the sun

Viewed closely (click on image to supersize) these fuzzy grass seeds appear almost as if they had been crocheted with fine wool yarn. Their warm color is beautifully emphasized by a backlight of bright afternoon sunshine. Thank you Mother Nature! The birds will thank you this winter too ;0)


Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Beckoning Winter - Autumn brown comes to Yucca

Caressed by remnant webs, the open seed pods seemingly beckon Winter with their upward reaching posture. Maintaining still a statuesque presence in the garden ;0)

(don't forget to click on image to supersize)

Nature Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/