As summer comes to a close a Lorquins Admirals wings tell the tale of a summer passed.
It’s safe to say those scared and faed wings have served them well. Flying strong with colors bright to find a mate and produce a new generation of butterflies we can look upon with wonder when summer returns again.
It’s always nice to have a little company while out on a hike and this day it seemed we always had one of these beautiful Pink Edged Sulfur butterflies fluttering about either in front or along side of us as we made our way along the trail.
They seldom seemed to take a break from their flight. Luckily one did and that gave us a chance for a close up look before they lifted off fluttered way.
The other day I saw a yellow flash land in a nice cedar tree. Thinking it was an unusual insect I quickly went over to get a look. Alas, it was not a new insect but a Honey Bee and to say this one was covered in pollen might be an understatement. This little bee could hard fly with the load they had acquired. After a few minutes of rest they slowly lifted off and headed back to the hive. A job well done.
We typically see only a few Preying Mantis each summer either while out hiking or in our garden. Last week, while out on a hike, we saw numerous Mantids and each one matched the specific grasses they resided in. The Mantid above was in grasses that were a mix of green and brown and the Mantid was green and brown.
While the Mantid above resided in fresh green grass.
This Mantids above were right at home in a field of brown.
We even got a look at one Mantid hanging upside down.
Photographed in Denver, CO
I watched this Thread Waisted Wasp (Ammophilia Proceia) buzzing around in the Golden Rod. That Thin connection between the thorax and the abdomen is really something to wonder over. Does it allow the abdomen to move freely and lay eggs or perhaps sting others independent of the rest of the body?
Need to get an Entomology book and brush up on the fundamentals.
Denver, CO.
Butterfly and Beetle both agree…Milkweed is the Plant for Me.
Denver, CO
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.
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.
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 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.
nature has no boss 
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