There she was a beautiful Triteleia Grandiflora just hanging out minding her own business.
When who should appear and sit down beside her…
But this small little spider.
They make a fine couple don’t you think?
Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend.
Monday morning meeting are no way to start the week unless it’s a nice short meeting with a fine coworker as was the case with this little butterfly. We met out in a field, cup of coffee in hand, had a quick discussion that was completely on point, then got right to work. No, not all meetings are bad.
Late July and the Dragons do fly. Yes, summer is speeding along and when the birds go a bit silent this time of year the dragonflies take to the sky.
A handful of photos of some of the locals.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Keep healthy and stay safe.
An Ornate Checkered Beetle climbs the milkweed in search of pollen and his efforts are fully rewarded.
Well almost as big as a small hummingbird. A White Lined Sphinx Moth working it’s way around the flowers for a quick sip of nectar. The length of that tongue is amazing.
A short pause is in order today to just soak in the beauty of the Comma, butterfly, that is. One of the earlier butterfly species to grace the skies in our area each summer many of the earlier arrivals we observed actually overwintered as adults. Some finding refuge from the winters freeze deep in crevices of a trees bark.
Some we found warming themselves collecting minerals from the moist soil on the forest floor.
Whereas others were often found feeding on the new growth of the trees and shrubs.
Yes, C is for Comma.
One of the most interesting butterflies found in our area is the beautiful and fancy in a non-fancy sort of way Juniper Hairstreak. Widely distributed across the United States this butterfly is often seen in old fields, bluffs, barrens, juniper and pinyon-juniper woodlands, and cedar breaks. This one was photographed feeding on biscuit root along the base of a cliff that had several areas of Juniper growing. The male will sit all day upon the ends of juniper branches to attract a female.
Just for fun another basket of spring wildflower rendered in monochrome.
Enjoy.
While checking out the Coneflowers the other day we came across this really cool insect called an Assassin bug.
At one point we found them stalking prey in their world of flowers. The other insect noticed the Assassin on their trail and quickly hopped away avoiding becoming a meal.
Assassin Bugs are ambush hunters that use their long rostrum to inject digestive enzymes into their prey. Their bite is said to be quite painful yet without long term consequences.
So from now on I will be keeping my eyes open and hands a safe distance from this guys home in the coneflowers as summer carries on.
Our annual photographic homage to one of our favorite spring flowers the Glacier Lilly.
We follow their progressive blooming form the edge of the foothills up high in the mountains seemingly ushering in spring in each progressive life zone.
Beautiful from afar…
as well as up close.
nature has no boss 
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