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Tipuloidea
This morning there was a crane fly on the outside of the window, allowing me a view of its ventral side. Interestingly, it had another teensy insect on its leg — it was so small that I couldn’t tell if it was tangled or what. Was it a baby crane fly? How big are they when they metamorphose into adults?
In some places, crane flies are called mosquito hawks or “skeeter-eaters,” despite the fact that they don’t prey on adult mosquitoes or other insects. Adults have a lifespan of 10 to 15 days. The larvae of crane flies are commonly known as leatherjackets, and usually feed on decaying plant matter.
Crane flies first emerged in the Middle Triassic period, approximately 245 million years ago, making them one of the oldest known groups of flies. To date, scientists have described over 15,500 species across more than 500 genera.
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orchid
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portrait
Direct watercolour on toned paper.
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philodendron
I’m babysitting some plants while their owner is away.
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another view
Museum again, from a different vantage point, and on toned paper.
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ojai valley museum
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screen-free saturday
I decided to have a screen-free day; it was lovely! I recommend it! This could become a weekly fixture.
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Dendromecon rigida
It’s been a while since I hiked Piuma Ridge Trail. Not a whole ton of wildflowers, but this one bush poppy shrub/tree was stunning.
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beatrix potter
This week on Draw With Me, we were inspired by English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist Beatrix Potter. Her books weren’t a big part of my childhood … maybe we had one or two? But now I’m impressed by her scientific illustrations and mycological studies. At her death in 1943, Potter bequeathed nearly all her property to the National Trust, including more than 4,000 acres (16 km²) of land, sixteen farms, numerous cottages, and herds of cattle and Herdwick sheep. At the time, it was the largest donation ever made to the National Trust, playing a crucial role in preserving the landscape that now forms part of the Lake District National Park. Thank you Beatrix!
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juglans californica
Suddenly I’m spotting the walnut and oak female flowers. Welcome back, ladies!
hashiworks 