There goes Nutkin!
Some neighbor trees are showing their fall finery:
And last but not least, the platter birds:
Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Fall Colors and Nutkin
My contribution to TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #139. Here's Nutkin...
There goes Nutkin!
Some neighbor trees are showing their fall finery:
And last but not least, the platter birds:
Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~
There goes Nutkin!
Some neighbor trees are showing their fall finery:
And last but not least, the platter birds:
Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
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!
Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~
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!
Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~
Saturday, November 12, 2016
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!
Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~
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!
Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
~
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