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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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=cicada

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

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/

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/

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_spider

photograph copyrighted by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

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/

"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

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

The Bess Beetle coleoptera passalidae is a vocal relative of the scarab. Listen to the squeaking sound it makes when picked up. Found in rotten logs.

These large harmless bugs (Odontotaenius disjunctus) are very comical to observe and because they are so slow moving, a favorite of budding young entomologists. A fun "pet for a day"..... even for adults! Please put them back in their original home though so they can live out their lives doing what bugs do. (click on photographs to enlarge) Look closely at the beetle in the second photo to see my reflection ;0)

For more information:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/127

and

http://www-museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/Guide/Guide-introduction/Guideintro.html

Photographs copyrighted by Carolyn Hietala

The Northern Ring-Necked Snake (diadophis punctatus edwardsii) is rarely seen during daylight in Virginia as it is mostly active at night.

(click on images to enlarge)

This one was discovered as it was sunning itself on the woodland floor and measures about 11 1/2 inches long. To learn more: http://www.dgif.state.va.us/wildlife/species/display.asp?id=030020

Carolyn Hietala

Spotted Salamander in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Ambystoma Maculatum. Look closer and discover that your backyard is indeed a Wildlife Habitat!

(click on photographs to supersize)

This shy chubby Spotted Salamander measures almost 8 inches long and was found under rotting leaf mulch. These salamanders are not often seen as they are quite secretive but if you are lucky enough to see one please enjoy the moment......... and cover them right back up!

Visit the Virginia Herpetological Society for more salamanders of Virginia: http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/salamanders_of_virginia.htm

Copyrighted photos by Carolyn Hietala

Dragonfly? NOT! Damselfly! Gentle & tame so was easily photographed. Virginia insect caught by a Canon Rebel XT Camera in Chesterfield County.

(click on photos to supersize)

This Damselfly, a close relative of the Dragonfly, was so content with my presence that it even allowed me to pick it up! Compliments to my daughter for discovering it in her yard so it could "pose" for me in my own backyard....... what a showoff this little creature was! I released it in the marsh where a flyfishing trout would NOT reside ;0)

More information about the Calopteryx Maculata can be found at this awesome insect identifying website: http://bugguide.net/node/view/601

Copyrighted photos by Carolyn Hietala

Deja vu? Digging a nest to deposit eggs in this Chesterfield County yard is a Snapping Turtle although not a surprising event as a pond is nearby.

(click on photo to enlarge)

I say deja vu as just last summer I witnessed another turtle digging a nest in my front yard.

Look closely and you will see that the female snapper has sustained a severe deforming injury to her shell that has long since healed. Poor baby. She also has a large cyst on her back leg. In spite of her past tragedy she has prevailed to continue her species...... one tough cookie!

For more information about this Virginia turtle: http://www.dgif.state.va.us/wildlife/species/display.asp?id=030050

Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Red-Spotted Newt - Red Eft in Richmond. Woodland backyard as a natural habitat for Virginia wildlife. Salamander with spots Notophthalmus viridescens.

(click on photo to supersize)

Yardwork can bring lovely surprises! This elusive little beauty was discovered while raking leaves and found nestled safely under a large rotting branch. After taking a few pictures with my Canon Rebel XT this shy little creature was relocated to a new log home a few yards away where it obligingly disappeared from sight once again.

To learn more about this salamander check out this site. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries: http://www.dgif.state.va.us/wildlife/species/display.asp?id=020065

What a gentle invention by Mother Nature :0)

Photograph copyrighted by Carolyn Hietala.

Catbird Kitten Photograph! Look what the Cat... no Bird dragged in. Fishworm! Gourmet meal. Original Photo. Nature Art by Carolyn Hietala

An authentic photograph negative of a real "Cat"bird?

NOT! But just imagine.... that would be something wouldn't it? Cat's with wings?!

This was a fun "take-off" on one of my fantasy polymer clay sculptures.

All copyrights reserved.

BugGuide.Net ... Orange Assassin Bug - Pselliopus ... This insect was identified with help from this website. Nature lovers must visit here!

All I had to do to find this insect was to type "orange insect" into their search option...... and there it was!......and a photo to boot. I love this site. Check it out. Click on title above photo.

Even though the orange bug carries the name of assassin...... well it appears there is another assassin at work here in this photograph ;0) (the bug did escape the Chinese mantis as the day was very windy and the plant moved way too much)

Carolyn Hietala

Jack-In-The-Pulpit growing in my own front yard in Richmond, Virginia. Fine Art via Mother Nature!

I was feeling wishful for Summer again so at least it can be here in this photograph. Sunshine, warm breezes and watermelon...... oh yeah..... and let's not forget fresh tomatos.

Photo by Carolyn Hietala

"Lunch" as seen through the eyes of the Praying Mantis. This photograph gives the opportunity for you to step into the world of the mantid. Yummy!

I'm afraid it doesn't do very much for my appetite as the only orange food I crave is an orange. Definitely click twice on this photo to supersize!
Carolyn Hietala

Tiger Beetle ... I spent days this past summer trying to get close enough to photograph this quick little insect and finally succeeded.

I pleaded with Tiger to stand still but to no avail. Will try again with another one next year.

Carolyn Hietala

Chinese Praying Mantis egg case will wait patiently until spring at which time over a hundred babies will emerge. Life goes on.

Isn't it amazing how Mother Nature provides for the continuance of even the smallest of species on earth? The eggs are safely protected from the ravages of winter. Spring warmth will trigger hatching so let's hope a bird isn't watching for they would make quite an easy meal. (I will be moving this one to an inconspicuous spot to insure they do have a better chance of surviving.)

Carolyn Hietala

Woodland or Forest Lily ... beautiful orange wildflower towering above my head .. growing in a wetland environment.

Turk's Cap is a beautiful woodland lily and resides in Chesterfield County, Virginia.

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

Katydid Bathing Beauty! It took cool temperatures last night to slow this one down enough to photograph. Afraid it's in the Autumn of its life.

Yet another insect putting "foot in mouth."

A male named Katy.... wonder how he really feels about that! He sure is enjoying the sunshine.

Carolyn Hietala

Bath time! Insects keep clean without soap or washcloth! This Carolina mantis is very thorough. When's the last time you put your foot in your mouth?

Isn't
she beautiful
and obviously
comfortable
with being
photographed.

Carolyn Hietala

100% of the proceeds will go straight to Sarvey Wildlife Care Center from this eBay auction of 15 miniature paintings by Art For Critters. SOLD

The Art for Critters artists present

the "Woodland Creatures" auction, featuring 15 ACEO

(2.5 x 3.5 inches) original miniature paintings.

100% of the proceeds

will go straight to Sarvey Wildlife Care Center,

a wonderful organization that helps wild animals

by providing wildlife rehabilitation and care,

educating the public to the needs of wildlife

and creating a sanctuary for wildlife.

Carolyn Hietala

Here's a photograph of a female Carolina mantis still laden with eggs. Males are not as easily photographed. She's beautiful amongst the Fall colors?

I discovered her yesterday but it was raining so I kept her overnight to photograph in the bright sun.

Now she is back residing where she was found.
Hope to get a glimpse of her offspring next year!

photo by Carolyn Hietala

PLEASE don't use a tripod to photograph a praying mantis...was content with the Rebel XT camera UNTIL it was placed on the tripod. Poor scared baby!

Guess it thought

it was a giant

threatening insect!

OH MY!

(glad it didn't

react that way

to me ;0)

photo by Carolyn Hietala

With assistance from a local entomologist we are 99% certain the subject of my oil painting is a Catalpa Sphinx Moth pupa! Will paint the moth too.

It has been almost a year since I collected this pupa to use in one of my paintings.

Yes it is still alive and moving......amazing!

Since I moved it indoors just before winter of 2005 it didn't receive the drop in temperature necessary to trigger it's emergence in spring.

Am so sorry I didn't find that out sooner as I have impatiently been waiting to paint the moth!

Now it will go into the refrigerator for two weeks and if all goes well....... immortalized in oil paint on canvas soon!

Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well. I surely hope it is able to emerge.
Carolyn Hietala

Southern Cricket Frog - I have to be careful not to step on these tiny frogs. We enjoy their nightly chorus along with their Bullfrog relatives.

Ever tried to catch one of these little guys?
You best have eaten your Wheaties that morning as they are quick!
An adorable little frog it is.

Carolyn Hietala

An entomologist could easily study the Praying Mantis in my Virginia yard! They are frequently seen and greedily accept insect "presents" I offer.

This caterpillar never had a chance with this expert hunter! Oh, what a tasty morsel. My Catalpa tree was being devoured by the caterpillars...... when full they would fall to the ground and become easy prey. (click on photograph to enlarge)

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

Apartment Living For Mushrooms? Yes even nature loves a community life.

Within the week these were gone......eaten by beetles!

Photographed by Carolyn Hietala

Male Eastern Box Turtle ... Update on female laying eggs in nest ... This must be Daddy with a visiting butterfly on his back!

I have been busy but just HAD to update my previous post about the female Eastern Box Turtle digging her nest. Daddy was found crossing our driveway within 50 feet of the nest site. Think he is responsible for her family way? No that is NOT a fake butterfly. It really landed as I shot the picture! What luck! So sweet. Couldn't ask for a better photograph of the "gentleman."

Carolyn Hietala