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/

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/

Buckeye Butterfly - Spending quality time on the White Butterfly Bush.

A truly inspiring sight ;0)

Photo 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/bgimage

Photo 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/488
Also 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/

Northern Copperhead Snake - Chesterfield County, Virginia

(click on images to enlarge)

Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen

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

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

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

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/

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.