Nature Art Photography And Oil Paintings - by Carolyn Hietala

Friday

Drinking in the sun ;0)

Pollinating Wild Aster

Nature Butterfly Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Thursday

Virginia unemployment rate statistics are displayed in gorgeous Fall colors

These splendid Autumn colors via Mother Nature

These splendid Autumn colors http://www.bls.gov/ro3/valaus.htm via

The United States Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Which view do you prefer; via Nature or Government?
Nature Foliage Photograph by ARTIST Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Wednesday

Unlike so many Americans today..... this Paper Wasp has a JOB!!!!!!

Insect on Wild Aster

Nature Pollination Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Fine Artist in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Friday

tiny baby in hand..... neonate Northern Ring-necked Snake? No it's actually a Rough Earth Snake ;0)

All Rights reserved. ©
Neonate Rough Earth Snake in my palm, camera in other hand ;0)
This newborn Virginia striatula was found under

dead leaves in my backyard as I was doing yardwork.

Image taken in Chesterfield County - Richmond, Virginia.

Reptile Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Thursday

Elderberry In Magical Display..... image published ;0)

June 2010 - Cottage Life Magazine

(Edible Berries)

Article - "Ripe For The Eating" by Lorraine Johnson

Nature Wild Berry Photograph by Carolyn Hietala - Oil Painter

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Wednesday

rusty metal and predator

Blue Dasher Dragonfly - Pachydiplax longipennis

Odonata - Male

Nature Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Pick One!

Choose wisely.........for good luck ;0)

Four-leaf clovers can be found tucked away, dry and forgotten, within the pages of least read books everywhere. Hope comes in many forms I suppose. Personally I believe we create our own "good luck" by our actions. Recently I cut the grass but left several large circles of clover uncut..... for the good fortune of the pollinators, specifically the bee community of course.

Happy Lucky Bokeh Wednesday EVERYone!

Nature Green Planet Plant Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Tuesday

Bumblebee on lovely pink Bristly Locust Blossoms

Nature Flower Pollination Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

yard bunny enjoying the clover

The little critter now allows me to get a bit closer before bounding into the thick grasses. I can see small grass tunnels everywhere in the meadow ;0)

Native Young Wild Rabbit - Lagomorpha leporidae

Nature Mammal Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Monday

Damselfly Land is such a lovely place to be!

All Rights reserved. ©

Fragile Forktail - Ischnura posita - Odonata
(I think it is a juvenile female, correct me if I'm wrong please)

A tiny precious backyard creature.

I adore their gentle spirit but they also are fierce hunters ;0)

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Nature Odonata Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Sunday

Leaf-cutter Bee on Daisy Fleabane

(Not sure of this id so please let me know if incorrect)

Daisy Fleabane - Erigeron annuus

Nature Insect Pollination Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Friday

Mosquito..... manufacturing misery ;0(

Dump the water and grab the DEET!!!!!

Mosquito - Culicidae

(female engorged with eggs)

Nature Backyard Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Green Metallic Bee - Halictid bee - Agapostemon virescens

Iridescent Little Bee On Blackberry Blossom

Sawtooth Blackberry - Rubus argutus

Nature Backyard Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Wednesday

under shade of petals

Life supports life........ we're all connected in some fashion.
(rose & fly & bee in monochromatic unity)

Faux Vintage

Nature Sepia Tone Blossom Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Free Wild Bird Food............ compliments of Mulberry Tree

This Mulberry Tree is growing in leaps and bounds with the recent rainstorms. The birds are plucking off the fruit as soon as the mulberries ripen ;0(

Nature Berry Photograph by Carolyn Hietala
Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County
All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Tuesday

breezy bug love

The wind was whipping and twirling these wildflowers so it was a miracle that I was able to get even one image that wasn't a total blur ;0)

Family Rhopalidae - Scentless Plant Bugs

Genus Harmostes

Species reflexulus (Harmostes reflexulus)

Happy Tuesday!

Nature Mating Insects Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Monday

pretty is as pretty does.....

All Rights reserved. ©

.....as my Grandmother used to say ;0)

Kindness is certainly a virtue that shines bright
and beautiful, it's always appreciated...............;0)

Graham Thomas English Rose
A gift for my kind and generous Flickr friends! Thanks.

Nature Flower Blossom Photograph by Carolyn Hietala
Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County
All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

making a beautiful first impression

Bristly Locust - Robinia hispida - small shrub or tree
Have a lovely week everyone ;0)

Nature Pink Flower Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Sunday

Blue Dasher Dragonfly..... female on Cudweed

The rain barrel is but a few feet away ;0)
Blue Dasher Dragonfly - Pachydiplax longipennis
Odonata - Female

Nature Backyard Dragonfly Photograph by Carolyn Hietala
Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County
All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Friday

One of my mosquito images is published ;0)

This is a very informative article titled "Fight the bite" by Katherine Houstoun in the Chesterfield Observer about those pesty Asian Tiger Mosquitos. If you are bothered by these insects in your yard you should certainly read it. Here is the online link http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/news/2010-06-02/Front_Page/Fight_the_bite.html or pick up a newspaper copy for handy reference.

Nature Biting Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Thursday

you're my one and only......... sweet veronica

Veronica polita or Grey Field-speedwell

Figwort - Scrophulariaceae

A delicate blue and white wildflower delight,

or just another weed in the lawn ;0)

Nature Native Flower Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Tuesday

backyard toad..... always underfoot

By day this adult Eastern American Toad Frog (Bufo Americanus) can either be found under the deck, smothered in leaves or under the step leading out from the deck. The dark color on the lower body is evident that it was recently in darkness as they change color according to their environment..... from almost black to pale reddish brown or tan.

At night is when I have to make sure I don't step on the critter. Quite often it can be found on the deck, hopping about snatching up insects attracted by the indoor lights. ;0)

Nature Backyard Amphibian Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Monday

always look before you leap............... Eastern Box Turtle

I just love finding young turtles, they're

missing the "bumps of life."

Eastern Box Turtle - Terrapene carolina carolina

(the shell of this one was about 6 inches in length)

Backyard Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Saturday

nostalgic ant #2

.....it's busy eating pollen off flowers.....

Treasured in faux vintage sepia tones..... muted and soft ;0)

Nature Backyard Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Friday

Asian Tiger Mosquito - Aedes albopictus..... known carrier of West Nile Virus

Faux Vintage Photograph

(side view)

My model is visibly tiring ;0)

(for full color images of this little predator click on images)

Nature Backyard Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Wednesday

smooth operator..... at first you don't feel a thing THEN.....

OUCH!!!!!!

Biting Mosquito Image

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Nature Insect Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Monday

a spot of gold

Just like a little fly jewelry pin ;0)

Gold-backed Snipe Fly

Chrysopilus ornatus - male

This image made Front Page Explore May 19, 2010

Would the little critter care?

lol..... probably not!
My Mom so loved wearing fly and bee pins.

Nature Backyard Diptera Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Vintage Opal & Garnet 8k Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring by Johny's Gems..... original box.

Written on top of the box is

JOHNY'S GEMS

199 SIKUK PHAYASRI BANGKOK

Tel. 27536

If interested in purchasing this 8ky ring with opals

and garnets, please email art154@comcast.net

This is a temporary jewelry post for a friend......... if you click on "home" below this post, it will take you to all my nature images........ thanks for your patience and I apologize for the detour ;0)

Nature Art Photography by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia

Saturday

Old Timey Plant..... the beauty of Bristly Locust foliage.

Robinia hispida I believe this variety may be, it grows as a small shrub or tree..... an "old timey" plant. This particular one came from an offshoot of my Grandmother's and has populated a portion of the garden. Bristly is very easy to maintain as it is very drought tolerant and survives in the poorest soils. Of course it would excel in health and beauty with a loving touch ;0)

Nature Green Foliage Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Image take in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Friday

nostalgic ant #1..... in solemn pause

.....muted in soft sepia tone.....

Happy TGIF!

Insect Nature Old Photograph Faux by Carolyn Hietala

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Thursday

tagged by mother nature

A fresh new shiny growth of a green leaf on vine,

wrapped around the porch rail.
Roundleaf Greenbriar (Smilax rotundifolia)

My advice is: Don't wander into a patch of these vines.....

the thorns will make you cry ;0(

I spent a bit of time throughout Maine, Vermont, etc. one summer and kept seeing these signs "tag sale"......well of course it was just another way of saying "yard sale"..... so I went to every one I could. I loved it up there. Wish I could have had a camera then ;0(

Nature Native Plant Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Wednesday

Mantis Soft

A misty morning hunt in Mantid Land.

Chinese Praying Mantis nymph

Japanese Lace-leaf Maple Tree

Honestly, if I were a Mantis mother, I would not deposit my eggs on a red tree..... not the best camouflage for my green babies! They must be color blind ;0(

Nature Backyard Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

dreaming of you

Cope's Gray Treefrog - Hyla chrysoscelis

Resting on the Fringe Tree, this little amphibian waits for nightfall when it will announce its presence to that special one..... it's breeding season here ;0)

Nature Wildlife Frog Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Tuesday

happy to be a frog

Cope's Gray Treefrog - Hyla chrysoscelis

Resting on a Fringe Tree leaf, this little amphibian waits for the night when it will (very loudly) announce its presence to the world. I can hear its call easily from inside the house, all night long.

Camouflage Works!

I'm just plain cute ;0)

When I turned on the porch light later that evening, it was sitting on the edge of the rain barrel, two more were taking a dip in the water. They had quite a chorus going on..... and the barrel greatly intensifies their sounds!

Backyard Nature Frog Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Images taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Monday

"be fruitful and multiply"

I wasn't feeling well yesterday so was relaxing on the deck when I noticed a cloud of insects emerging from an old stump, had to get my camera. I suppose they are winged termites or ants, heading out to infest some wood ;0(

In regard to not feeling well, A tick presented me with Lyme disease this past week and I am on 500mg (3xday) of Amoxicillin for 21 days. SO BE VIGILANT with removing those ticks IMMEDIATELY folks..........Please!!!!

I suppose those nightly visits to my yard from the deer have a darker side ;0(

Nature Insect Populations Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Sunday

assuring us of future generations..... egg laying

American Painted Lady Butterfly

Depositing eggs on Cudweed plant

Vanessa virginiensis on (Gnaphalium spp.) Asteraceae

Nature Butterfly Garden Plant Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

In My Backyard

Cope's Gray Treefrog - Hyla chrysoscelis........in macro.

.........sitting on my index finger ;0)

Three of these were on and in the rain barrel last night..... being VERY loud with their calls. Today this one was hanging out on the Fringe Tree next to the barrel. It had such a calm nature that it would freely climb on your finger if nudged gently under its throat.

Backyard Nature Amphibian Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County