Just Sayin'

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Hackberry Emperor

I believe this may be Asterocampa celtis, also known as the Hackberry Emperor, even though the latter sounds a whole lot like an oxymoron. According to that single source of all human knowledge, otherwise known as Wikipedia: "It gets its name from the hackberry tree (Celtis occidentalis and others in the genus Celtis) upon which it lays its eggs. The hackberry tree is the only host plant for A. celtis and is the food source for larvae."

Sheep

I think we could all benefit from having more sheep in our lives.

The Coachman

MALB

Recently discovered this little guy (gal?) on a soybean plant along the Powhatan Creek Trail. Like so many things in nature's bounty, I find it almost impossible to identify specific species. So many variations!

Fascinating article here. Well, at least I found it so. :-) May have solved the identification problem for me: 

"Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles (MALB) are a beneficial insect that often feeds on soybean aphids.  In the last few years soybean aphid populations have not been very high, but in 2023 there have been some isolated areas with high populations.  As a result, some fruit growers have seen increases in the populations of MALB." -- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Brumation

I like the challenge posed by photographing snakes in the wild. They're just such elusive creatures. This one, too, almost got away from me along the High Knob Tower Trail before I could swing my camera into place for a shot. I can't tell for sure, of course, but I feel almost certain it will be my last such catch in this season before brumation.

Muskrat Love

Greensprings

Neighbors

Pollinators

York River State Park

Heron

All was fairly quiet on the pond at Greensprings this past week. Just a lone heron on duty.

Turtle

Met this guy (gal?) on the Greensprings Interpretive Trail. 

 

Sheep

Colonial Williamsburg has introduced another breed of sheep. The Leicester Longwool sheep have long been a familiar site here, but these are definitely a different breed. I have yet to learn what kind.

Wolf Spider

Mount Sugarloaf

Deerfield, Massachusetts

Spotted several of these on my way down the mountain. They seemed to favor the log railing bordering the tower road. 

Swallowtail

Carpenter Bee

They're Back!

 

Walk or Ride?

 

Imagine having to go to the barn, harness the horses, and hitch them to the carriage every time you wanted to you wanted to ride instead of to walk somewhere. Then imagine of having to do all that in reverse every time you got home. I think I would have chosen to walk a lot more. :-)

The Daily Commute

 

Open Carriage

 

Beautiful day for an open carriage ride AND another link to Skywatch Friday.

Sparrow

 

Linking again today with Skywatch Friday