Lauren and I had lunch in a little park in Beverly Hills; apparently we were in an historic cactus garden.
pocket park
Month: July 2024
Physalis peruviana
Physalis peruviana is a species of plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) native to Chile and Peru. Widely introduced in the 20th century, it is now cultivated or grows wild across the world in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions. The plant has become invasive in some habitats, particularly in Hawaii and on other Pacific islands. It grows as an annual in temperate locations, but a perennial in the tropics.
The slightly tart fruit can be made into sauces, pies, puddings, chutneys, jams and ice cream, or eaten fresh in salads and fruit salads. Or you can just snack on them, which is what I’ve always done.
for dan
Birthday card for my “little” brother, painted from a photo on his IG.
Chrysocus cobaltinus
This iridescent little beetle (about 8mm long) was on a milkweed plant at the Park yesterday. So bright and metallic!
Both adult and larvae C. cobaltinus life stages eat dogbane and milkweed species. These plants contain toxic molecules known as cardenolides, which the beetle is resistant to. In fact, it stores the cardenolides in its glands, and uses them against predators.
Cobalt Mikweed Beetles are similar to click beetles in being able to launch themselves a couple of times the length of their body. Little but mighty!
Ammopelmatus fuscus
It’s been a while since I drew an insect with Trisha from Insectopia. I learned a new term: SULCUS (singular) / SULCI (plural) for folds in an insect’s exoskeleton. It also refers to the depressions or grooves in the brain.
Libellula saturata
The water in the pool is getting really low; in a few more weeks it will have evaporated completely. I was observing some rather large organisms running about under the murky water, and wondering what they were. I was distracted by some mating flame skimmers overhead, and watched as they completed their copulation and the female proceeded to repeatedly dip the end of her abdomen in the water.
Now that I’ve done a little research on flame skimmers, I’m pretty sure that the critters I see underwater are the dragonfly’s nymphs. Hopefully they’ll have time to metamorphose before their habitat disappears for the season.
Bubo virginianus
As I was falling asleep last night, I could hear adult and young Great Horned Owls out in the darkness. The babies were screaming for food; I imagine the parents were hooting “Patience little ones! We’re coming!“
babies
We rarely get more than a fig or two for ourselves, but this year there’s quite a few on the tree, so maybe the birds will share more?
for miss seven
My great-niece has recently become interested in skateboarding 🛹
Aceria aloinis
Some of our aloe plants have “cancer” 😩
hashiworks 