Definitely not as warm today with the cloud cover. Indeed it wasn’t half bad taking my afternoon walk. Today’s high was ten degrees cooler than yesterday’s 101F.
First a stop at the Bur Oak. Acrobat Ants (Crematogaster) with their characteristic gaster raised. They were sucking up the honey dew provided by the yellow aphids!
A buck starred back at me before letting out a snort as he left.
A dead Robber Fly (Asilidae) gave me a chance to observe it closer. There are over 1000 species in North America. Additionally they feed mainly on other insects.
A female Indigo Bunting was a bit unusual for our house. However it is a common bird on the LBJ NG.
Turtle eggs for someone’s meal.
Tiny exuvia next to the galls on the Western Ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) exuvia. It is important for ID’ing purposes to note the location of a gall. However I have not attempted to ID these.
A closeup of the exuvia.
Another nearby had little black bands!
A Noctuidae larva (1 cm) also hung out on the ironweed!
The Western Ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) is a favorite mid-summer flower for my viewing pleasure but more importantly as a host to a lot of friends!
I immediately thought tiny bird article would be about hummingbirds – but no, mountain chickadees! Very interesting what they can accomplish. Ironweed bloom is truly spectacular.
Glad to know they’re trying to save the sequoias. We should listen more to the natives. And that ironweed bloom is gorgeous.
The exuvia looks froggish to me. Love the purple larva!
I immediately thought tiny bird article would be about hummingbirds – but no, mountain chickadees! Very interesting what they can accomplish. Ironweed bloom is truly spectacular.
The exuvia are fascinating. I love your deep dives.
Ooh I know some of the chickadee people! Great pics as always.