Just a few quick photos of a wonderful bumble bee Bombus ternarius the tri-colored bee. This time buzzing about on a not so dandy wildflower but the tri-colored bee is sure a marvel and any chance we can get to enjoy seeing our favorite bee close up is worth it.
Two very little grasshopper nymphs enjoying a fine beginning to life atop a wildflower just starting to bud.
Hope you get to enjoy some time with your favorite buddy this weekend.
Looking closely at a blade of grass there is more than meets the eye.
Yes, there is always more than meets the eye and it’s sure fun trying to meet it.
A little Honey Bee Checking out one of our favorite wildflowers the Prickly Poppy.
I am terrible at dragonfly identification so if anyone out there can help with giving this guy the proper respect he deserves with a common and scientific name it would be appreciated.
Anyway this guy was sitting in the afternoon light glowing a wonderful copper glow on a small spruce tree which if I can say so complimented his color well.
Looks like this little guy could use a shave but that will have to wait until he is done enjoying a nice cool drink.
An early arrival as the first spring wildflowers spring is Bombylis major a bee-fly mimic. Bomblyis is about 1/2-3/4 inches long and fuzzy as a cuddly teddy bear. At first thought you might think that probosces is quite the stinger but it is harmless and used to collect nectar.
These guys move very quickly from flower to flower early in the spring and seem to be gone by July which coincides with the decrease ins spring wildflowers.
Gotta love these little guys with the long proboscis, spindly legs and fuzzball bodies pollinating the spring flowers.
We have followed Anthrocharis stella commonly known as Stella Orangetip up and down the trail the last few week with little luck photographing these butterflies that rarely seemed to land. No fooling, one must have flown 25yards in front of us for at least 1/4 mile along the trail last week keeping tis distance but never landing.
When we did see one touch down it was always far in the distance and to make matters worse the wind seemed to be blowing just enough to make focusing with a long telephoto lens somewhat difficult. They definitely seemed to be searching for something specific in their flights and perhaps it was the small white flower in the photo above as they were scattered along the trail and not present in great numbers. Perhaps these flowers will increase in numbers as spring rolls on and then we will get a chance for more close-up shots of this fine looking butterfly.
Along the creek with buds just breaking out a trees first leaves of spring were not leaves at all.
It appeared that sap was flowing and attracting Comma Butterflies (Polygonia comma) of either the Eastern, Satyr or Hoary varieties to these willows just a few weeks ago. In addition to sap the leafless Pussy Willows further up the road were providing an early spring meal of pollen and nectar for the pollinators as well.
The namesake comma, or little c,is visible on both of these guys above.
… and the star of the show and a beautiful lift leaf on any plant.
And after a meal full of nectar a well balanced butterfly diet should include a little mineral as well. This Comma is engaging in a behavior known as puddling which I have observed over and over again but first read about on Piotr Naskrecki’s blog the Smaller Majority in an article entitles What Butterflies Like.
Anyway those first leaves of spring were not leaves at all.
Carabus Sylvosus a Woodland Ground Beetle looking back at me as I uncovered them while cleaning the yard last week. Given that these beetles are nocturnal foragers I am sure it were not too pleased with my removing their cover from the daylight while cleaning up some yard debris.
Beetles are always fascinating to observe from the purple on their shell, the anatomy of their from limbs and what looks like special antennae in front that act as additional legs in some way.
Ground Beetles comprise a family of beetles with over 40,000 species so next time you are out in the forest turn over a rock or mess about in the leaf litter and chances are you might find one looking back at you.
nature has no boss 
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