(click on images to supersize)
I am not afraid of being stung by the Honeybee but do keep my distance from the Bumblebee! They are usually docile but I had an unpleasant childhood experience when I got too close to a Bumble Bee nest!
(click on images to supersize)
The marsh at the edge of the yard is a favorite hangout for all sorts of wildlife.
I happened upon this sight while searching my front yard for something interesting to photograph today. We were both surprised! In a matter of seconds this Garter Snake was gone and had it not been for the shutter repeat function on my Rebel XT Camera I would have missed capturing its picture. Now I know why my Spring Peeper Frogs have been disappearing lately! The snake was about two and a half feet long and very well fed ;0) (click on images to enlarge)
Yes this rather large fungi specimen is now scattered all over our backyard.
After her bedtime..... sleepy girl ;0)
I really had to sneak up on her to get these pictures ;0)
Just remember to plant them deep enough. In my yard they seem to do better in partial shade and do slowly multiply. I sometimes dig one up and place it in a pot so I can enjoy the blooms indoors but don't let your pets ingest them as they are toxic. Here is the ASPCA: Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic Plants website for a list of more potentially dangerous plants for pets (dogs, cats, etc.) http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_toxicplants
Greyboy the cat naps..... dreaming of birds I suppose.
Wishful thinking ;0)
Summer Roadtrip on Virginia highways!
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!
Beautiful brown & black Dragon Fly sunbathing on a fallen log in the woodland. A very evasive fellow. (click on image to enlarge)
Do you see the Catalpa Sphinx Caterpillar she is spying?
Ever watchful is the Preying Mantis.....
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)
Warming in the morning light this small spider seems quite content as it awaits breakfast.
Winter 2007 - Our front yard view - Wishful thinking in the hot & humid summer heat ;0)
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.
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?
Big beautiful green berries hanging low to the ground in a Virginia woodland. When ripe they become dark purple..... and taste so good!
Nice camouflage!
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)
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+bee
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=Search
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)
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.
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.
Guess it got tired of milkweed..... ;0) Interesting little fellow. See more images via Bugguide.net here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/460/bgimage
Bugguide.net has this to say about this lovely flying insect: http://bugguide.net/node/view/488
What a gorgeous work of art. Thanks again Mother Nature!
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!
(click on images to enlarge)
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
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)
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!
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(
