Category Archives: bugs

Cute fly

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Alistair

  To suggest that a fly is cute certainly has to be a matter of taste. However, the Bombylius major does look like a child’s cuddly toy. Not only that, it is an effective pollinator as it goes around from … Continue reading →

Posted in bugs | 2 Comments

Falcon feeding

Posted on September 23, 2018 by Alistair

  A falcon is a small raptor that uses speed to prey upon insects, rodents, and small birds. We have two falcons present year round (plus three occasional visitors). The smallest of our regular falcons is the Kestrel (80–165 g). … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs | 3 Comments

Darner mating

Posted on September 22, 2018 by Alistair

  One might think that the dragonfly season would be over — not so. Seen here are (what I believe are) lance-tipped darners mating three days ago. The male (more bluish) is the one above, while the female (yellowish head … Continue reading →

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Osprey harassed

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Alistair

  This has been a really good year for wasps — not so good for the rest of us. Ospreys feed on fish, and wasps really like that. An osprey has taken a fresh fish to the top of a … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs, fish | 4 Comments

Western yellowjacket

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Alistair

  The western yellowjacket is a versatile wasp. It will nest in the ground, in tree trunks, or under the eves of porches. As with most of the creatures around, I tend to adopt a live-and-let-live approach. However, when this … Continue reading →

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July goulash

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Alistair

  This is a collection of a dozen images from July, none of which has had a posting of its own. Where have all the male Mallards gone? They are here, but are in their eclipse plumage, which makes them … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs, fish, mammals, wildflowers | 3 Comments

Deer fly eggs

Posted on July 21, 2018 by Alistair

  A half-dozen deer flies, Chrysops figidus(?), were laying eggs just above the waterline on a long-decommissioned piling. In their preparation for laying eggs, it is these female deer flies that inflict painful bites as they seek blood that is … Continue reading →

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Fat and yellow

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Alistair

  As far as I can tell, the daisy is the favourite local hunting ground of crab spiders (Misumena vatia), so when the daisies bloom, I scan them for spiders. The crab spider is a chameleon: it can change colour … Continue reading →

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Dew, not dew

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Alistair

  The web of an orb-weaving spider covered in matutinal drops of water is undoubtedly beautiful. But, is the web really covered in dew — as is claimed by a myriad of photo sites? Alas, this is something for which … Continue reading →

Posted in bugs, weather, wildflowers | 7 Comments

Chimeric hymenopteran

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Alistair

  The insect that alighted on a leaf near me had the look of a chimera, a mythical beast assembled from the parts of other animals. It had a wasp’s head, a bee’s hairy body; and a butterfly’s clubbed antennae. … Continue reading →

Posted in bugs | 3 Comments