04-JUN-2013
American kestrel, male
I caught this kestrel just as it was about to take off. The female must be on eggs, for we've not seen her much, but the male is hanging around near the nest box.
04-JUN-2013
Aphids on vetch
These black aphids appear every year about this time on cow vetch (Vicia cracca), turning the stems black. Only a small percentage of plants appear to be affected, and anyway, the non-native vetch is abundant. While it is disliked by many, it does provide much nectar for many species of butterflies, particularly skippers and blues.
01-JUN-2013
Three-lined potato beetle (Lema daturaphila)
Gorgeous shot by Doris of this very pretty beetle.
01-JUN-2013
Confused haploa caterpillar (Haploa confusa), #8112
A great shot by Doris, of the haploa caterpillar on meadow foxtail grass. It turns into a spectaclar brown and white moth, often looking quite triangular in shape.
02-JUN-2013
Hover fly (Toxomerus marginatus)
Doris caught this shot of a beautiful little hover fly, one of the two Toxomerus species that we find around the garden.
