The Gorey Beetle Casts a Long Shadow

Gorey Beetle 2013, No. 1

The Black Wasps

These guys are all over this hanging plant on the porch . . . they might be living in it, for all I know. And they favor that one particular stem more than any other stem. What gives? Who are they? What do they like about it?!?

I Trained It Myself

Pearly Moth II

Pearly Moth

Bedside Moth

And wood.

Ironclad Beetle 2012, No. 2

Centipede: Black, Yellow & Red, 10 Inches Long

I was cleaning out dead branches & cutting down little cedars under a madrone tree on the hill last weekend, happily working away in my shorts & sandals, when out of the corner of my eye I caught this giant centipede running for the tree. Fortunately it didn't want to meet me any more than I wanted to meet it!

The upper picture is its back end. Its head is bright red (hidden from us here) and its body is black; the legs are yellow. They are about 10 inches (25 cm) long.

The picture at right is it cowering under the leaves at the base of the tree. If it can't see me, I don't exist—right? But I still need to get some leather work boots!

Return of the Red-Eyed Devil, II

The Return of the Red-Eyed Devil

Today, on the outside of the bedroom door.

Dragonfly: Male Common Whitetail

So gorgeous to be named "common"! I've never seen one of these before. Found it flitting around the meadow this afternoon. In love.

Nature in Action: Dung Beetle

Our dogs keep them busy. And fed? Housed? What do they actually do with the dung?

Ant in Drop of Sap

Ant Trail

At first glance I thought this was just debris across a paved walkway, but then I realized it was an anthill (lighter brown area at bottom) with a trail leading to it that was lined on either side with dried cedar bits. The trail is about two feet long. It reminds me of the way ants bury the bones when finished with the meat on them. Ants are so amazing. I love them. 

Grand Moth III: I Am Looking at You

This is not the giant Grand Moth; it's a younger, smaller sibling.

Grand Moth II

The day after the day I saw the Grand Moth, I saw it again. I was in the outdoor shower after dark and I saw a largeness flitting around. I went closer to see who it was and the moth flew right at me, landed on my chest, and stayed there for about 10 seconds. Did it recognize me?

This photo is where I found it after I got back out there with the camera—nestled up in the ceiling of the back porch roof.

Reflective Moth, Dead

Golden Moth, Also Dead

Spotted Moth

 For scale