Recently, I watched a documentary that depicted the Serengeti’s famous wildebeest migration as the animals forded a river in Tanzania. The wildebeests are reluctant to cross the river because of the huge crocodiles waiting to catch and eat them. While the majority safely make the crossing, a significant number are killed. We, too, have a […]
caterpillars
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Gardening for Caterpillars?
Here’s some good news for gardeners who are concerned about the environment: We can make an important, positive impact by the plant choices we make in our gardens. How do you choose plants? I remember that when I started gardening, I wanted flowers, flowers and more flowers, lots of color and fragrance. I think for […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Cleaning Up the Garden
Even though we live in a temperate climate, I’ve been noticing some subtle changes in the weather and critters here on the coast. I’ve been seeing wooly banded bears — a caterpillar that has some bizarre obsession with crossing roads, at least down in my neck of the woods. Their fuzzy black and orange presence […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Humbug: That’s One Big Moth
Coming home late from the Fortuna fireworks display on July 3, on a whim, I stopped at the Carlotta Fire hall. To my surprise I got to see a species of moth I photographed for the first time last year. Near the light was a Polyphemus Moth. At 6 inches it has the largest wingspan […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
HumBug: Late Bloomers and Frisky Dragonflies
The walk started off noticing my neighbor’s elm tree is infested with mourning cloak caterpillars. They’re going to town on one of the branches, stripping the leaves right down to the tough ribs. I didn’t tell him. It’s a big tree and I doubt loosing a few leaves is going to have much effect on […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
HumBug: Giants
On a recent trip up to central Oregon, at a rest area along the Rogue River there were several giant California stoneflies (Pteronarcys californica). This is the largest species of stonefly in the world. Common along my stretch of the Van Duzen River, I recognized them immediately. They are totally harmless and their presence indicates […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
HumBug: Safer to Look Like Crap
First day out with my new Canon 6D Mark II today and so far I’m happy. I used my Sigma 150/600-millimeter lens and, after a slow start, managed to find a few subjects. I watched as a smallish dragonfly searched among the willows looking for someplace to dine on its catch. As soon as it […]
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HumBug: Little Blue Butterflies
While most everyone is delighted by the recent rains, I await warmer weather. Since insects are ectothermic (cold blooded) they maintain a low profile when it’s cold. In the brief sunny interludes we’ve had recently, I’ve seen California hairstreaks, Acmon blues, and several other small, blue to gray butterflies that didn’t hang around long enough […]
Posted inNews
HumBug: Solitary Wasps
Working in my garden, I noticed a small blue black wasp flicking its shiny wings as it dashed across the dirt, searching here and there. I can hazard a guess as to what it was looking for: a spider. Much has been written about the social wasps and their organization, diligence and sacrifice for the […]