If 2020 has been good for anything except Purell sales, it’s been good for backyard observations. I’m fortunate to have two backyards–one in the woods, one in the ‘burbs–which gives me double the opportunity to get to know interesting critters. I’m populating this post with an array of creatures I’ve met (chased? trapped?) while hiding out from the world. (For more, see my previous Distractions posts!) My cellphone photography is not top notch, but it will have to suffice. Nature, thank you for giving me a delightful hands-on education this summer.
I did not recognize this dragonfly, but the eyes and that long body make me think that’s what it is. Baskettail, maybe? Or something else? I saw it alive the day before and talked to it a bit. And then, the next day, dead. My fault? Or just Nature Tooth and Claw (or in this case, probably, overzealous dog)?
Hoppy “The Legs” Katydid. Apparently they are named for the noises they make, which someone somewhere decided sound like “katy did, katy didn’t.” I’m not sure I concur, but nobody asked me.
A common orb weaving garden spider (Argiope aurentia). She was massive and gorgeous. I mean, check her out! And totally harmless…unless you are her prey, of course.
The stabilimentum woven by the above spider–a feature of some orb webs, made of non-capture silk–is a bit of a mystery. The current thinking is that the stunning geometry warns birds away from flying into/through the web. Or perhaps the spider is just a showoff. (See also the nicely wrapped snack!)
Exoskeletons from my pond left behind by some kind of dragonfly nymphs as they headed out into the world. These things were all over the dry rocks. Crunchy, needed salt.
This (very zippy and hard to photograph) velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis ) is actually a wingless female parasitoid wasp. Oh Nature! You are such a sly dog.
Needs no introduction. From a friend’s deck. Mother and babies visit nightly, having learned that my friend is a sucker for a furry face and that her bird feeders are “raccoon friendly.” (Please don’t judge.)
These luna months were mating! For days! Sorry the picture is so awful but I couldn’t get to them from the other side. Their wings, when outstretched, were much bigger than my hand. There was just one there the first day…pheromones must have drawn the other. Moth love is neato.
I’ll leave it there.
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2 thoughts on “Distractions Finale”
That was a lovely look around! I cannot ID its species, but the dead dragonfly is a robber fly. Same ecological niche, extremely good fliers and hunters of other insects.
Ooh, thank you, Dai! I’ve never heard of a robber fly but now I will investigate!
That was a lovely look around! I cannot ID its species, but the dead dragonfly is a robber fly. Same ecological niche, extremely good fliers and hunters of other insects.
Ooh, thank you, Dai! I’ve never heard of a robber fly but now I will investigate!