Selasphorus sasin
Tag: nature
Quercus wislizeni
A long time MCSP docent discovered a rare Interior Live Oak and brought us a twig to admire.
windfall
We’re staying in a manicured, gated community, so the nature pickings are somewhat slim. But I did bring these lovelies home with me from my morning walk. I’m getting a nice little collection of seed pods here.
January haiku
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!
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!“
Phrynosoma blainvillii
How to read nature
While camping, I read and enjoyed this short book by Tristan Gooley. My main takeaway is this (far from simple) exercise: Wherever/whenever you are outdoors, ask yourself “In what direction am I looking?” and “What time is it?“ (Learn to) use nature to find the answers. I’d like to get better at this.
Ardea alba
snail on jade
I never really thought about a snail’s life cycle until today. They hatch from eggs, which I suppose is kind of obvious, but just something I’d never considered, until I wondered how a baby got so high up on the jade plant.
hashiworks 