Milkweed and Friends

On August 24, 2017July 20, 2017 By Mike and Christy15 Comments

Butterfly and Beetle both agree…Milkweed is the Plant for Me.

Denver, CO

Perfectly Perched

On August 21, 2017August 29, 2017 By Mike and Christy12 Comments

Perched at the edge of a leaf and taking a break from their seemingly endless flight. Perhaps deciding which flower to visit next or just taking in the wonderful view. The wildflowers were thick along this on this stretch of trail so the choices were many for a butterfly that day.

Crested Butte, CO.

10 Lined June Bug

On August 19, 2017July 20, 2017 By Mike and Christy18 Comments

From Wikipedia:

The ten-lined June beetle (Polyphylla decemlineata), also known as the watermelon beetle, is a scarab beetle, living in the western United States and Canada. The adults are attracted to light and feed on foliage. They can make a hissing sound when touched or otherwise disturbed, which can resemble the hissing of a bat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-lined_June_beetle

Just me

On August 18, 2017August 18, 2017 By Mike and Christy14 Comments

I stumbled upon this little moth taking a break on a yarrow plant while out in the garden on afternoon. This little moth was content and stayed put even as I moved in to get a nice close look. As I pulled out the camera to take this photo it sure felt like this little moth was looking back at me saying “hey it’s just me… a little moth”.

If anyone out there has the skills to identify this little guy please chime in as “Little Moth” although descriptive could surely be expanded upon.

Have a great weekend.

Soft Summer Bells

On August 16, 2017August 16, 2017 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Soft Summer Bells ring as we hike along the trail in the Mt Zirkel Wilderness.

Places like this are few and far between and protecting them is worth the effort.

http://wilderness.org/article/why-protect-wilderness

Leaf Beetle

On August 15, 2017August 16, 2017 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

We have seen many of these wonderful beetles this summer and today I think they deserve the spotlight.

Police Car Moth

On August 9, 2017July 17, 2017 By Mike and Christy24 Comments

Thanks to the help of 1nmbirder for assistance in correctly identifying this moth. WordPress readers are the best. Always ready to help in identifying and teaching about all the things we run across outside.

At first I thought it was a Ranchman’s Tiger Moth but it does appear to be a Police Car Moth. We came across these guys while they were feeding on wild aster and sunflowers high up on the trail in Central Colorado.