Mystery Wasp

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#400).

Last post, I misidentified a wasp I found on the W. and O.D. trail as a Great Golden Digger Wasp. (Thanks to Phil for the heads-up!)

I guessed it was a Great Golden Digger Wasp because of similar shape, coloration, and location (this one was just a hundred feet down the trail from the ones I photographed in October). Also, it was doing what I expected a GGDW would do when it wasn't visiting goldenrod flowers: rummaging around in the trail dust. (In fact, I think it had located some hapless bug).

However, the head shape is quite different (and is all black) and the legs are black instead of orange:

Searching around google images, I found that there is a species of Thread-waisted Wasp called Ammophila procera that is a possibility. "This is the largest species in the eastern U.S. to sport the silver stripes on the side of the thorax, a hallmark of most members of the genus."

You can see silver stripes on the thorax under the right wings. (and it was quite large, at least length-wise...maybe not 2 inches, but close.)

I'm also linking to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 389 - Drink up. The birds enjoy their frisbee bird bath in the backyard every day:


But sometimes it is mysteriously emptied. Hmmm?

Another mystery solved!

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Fall Butterflies

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #152.

I didn't see as many butterflies this year as I'm used to. But there were some out in Ashburn this month. Here is a Variegated Fritillary:

A Clouded Sulphur and Cabbage White sharing a dandelion:

I took some photos of the Great Golden Digger Wasp last month when it was shiny and getting nectar in the sun. They also get down and dirty, as the digger part of the name indicates.


I'm linking to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'.
These are vultures in Ashburn.

Some D.C. platter birds:

Last but not least, here's another shot of Miley, the St. Dane!

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Theda Morning Glory

My contribution to TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #136.

Vines can be a pain, but morning glories are so pretty.

It's getting really spooking around here!

How about a bee?

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Fall Critters

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#397). And I'm also linking to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 386 - Autumn.

The leaves are starting to change on the Streambank Mock Orange:

I know I've been posting a lot of sweat bees lately, but their colors go so nicely with the flowers:

Theda is loving the cool weather and sunshine:

Sweat Bee

My contribution to TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #135.
This is the elementary school I went to.

I'm also linking to Michelle's Nature Notes (#396).
This is a sweat bee.

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They Always Look So Guilty

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #148. And I'm also linking to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'.

Here is Mrs. Cardinal taking to the air.

I'm raven about this crow. (Or the other way.) Unfortunately the sun was on the wrong side for great pixels, but the (big) bird was so focused that it let me get closer than they usually do.

Carpenter Bee


Grass Spider:

This is Trichopoda pennipes:

The Carpenter Sisters:

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Fall Bees, Butterflies, and Birds

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #147.

Perhaps you'd prefer a butterfly, like this Pearl Crescent?

I usually see Great Spangled Fritillaries. Here is a Variegated Fritillary.

I'm also contributing to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'. This mockingbird will direct you to the animal clinic:

The vultures are very happy that we build power line towers for them.


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Great Golden Digger Wasp

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#394). There were a couple of whitetail deer eating behind the shed in my sister's backyard, so I used the shed as cover to sneak up on them. But they took off as I pressed the shutter, so this is all I got:

The Great Golden Digger Wasp is a benign, gentle wasp currently being studied by scientists for its behavioral responses.


I'm also linking to TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #133. You've seen these horses before...


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Late September Critters

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#393).



I took a little video, but didn't get much...the snake had another appointment.

P.S. Here's Nutkin:

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Party Crasher

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#392). Here is the Mystery Birdie Bush (Streambank Mock Orange) full of birds waiting for their morning seeds.

You won't believe what happened next! (Of course you will...Nutkin crashed the party and ate almost all of the sunflower seeds.)

So this morning. Mr. Cardinal has the run of the place...

And then...

How about a bee?

Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions. v~