Category Archives: bugs

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

Rapidity of May

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Alistair

The rapidity of May is the speed of change that takes place as the region shifts from winter to summer. Events pile up on my camera. Here are a few of them. The rising waters of the Lake overflow … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs, herptiles, mammals | 6 Comments

April goulash

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Alistair

April has been a month of sparse postings, but not one of sparse observations. This collection shows some of the sightings that did not have a posting of its own. A male Pintail Duck wanders past. The oversized bills … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs, mammals | 9 Comments

Bombylius major

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Alistair

Early most springs, I post pictures of Bombylius major, for it is only at this time that one sees this interesting fly in one’s garden. Abruptly, spring has arrived, and so has bombylius. Although Bombylius major is a fly, … Continue reading →

Posted in bugs | 3 Comments

Dipper smarts

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Alistair

Dot: This is the second of two postings about the behaviour of a dipper, dubbed Dot, owing to a white spot on its back. Once thought to be a uniquely human characteristic, the use of tools is considered a … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs | 5 Comments

Mating swarm

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Alistair

How do a lovelorn insects find a mate? There are various strategies, but one of them is to gather in a mating ball or mating swarm. Such swarms abound at this time of year, hanging over fixed references such … Continue reading →

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Pipe pollination

Posted on July 29, 2017 by Alistair

The Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) is an interesting plant — it lacks chlorophyll. Yet, it thrives in rare locations on the forest floor where it has carved out a niche which does not require it to have access to … Continue reading →

Posted in bugs, wildflowers | 2 Comments

Butterfly roving

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Alistair

There are worse ways to spend a few hours than to wander amongst butterflies. Painted Lady (topside of wings) Painted Lady (underside of wing) Common Wood-Nymph Great Spangled Fritillary (in flight) Purplish Copper (feeding) Purplish Coppers in flight with … Continue reading →

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Inflight capture

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Alistair

When a Song Sparrow chases a Mayfly, the match is uneven — the bird will win. A tenth of a second later, the bug had been captured and swallowed.

Posted in birds, bugs | 2 Comments

Galls

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Alistair

I had no idea what I was looking at. The plant was the wild rose (Rosa woodsii), but what were those spiky red balls on its leaves? Adjacent clues — spider’s threads, spittlebug’s froth — turned out to be … Continue reading →