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Yellow Bear Caterpillar
Yellow Bear Caterpillar (Spilosoma virginica). This is the larval stage of the Virginian Tiger Moth. These caterpillars are covered in tufts, or small tubercles, which contain many hairs of different lengths. Varying in color from caterpillar to caterpillar from snow white, soft yellow, brown-yellow, to orange-red. The Yellow Bear Caterpillar is not poisonous but folks…
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Imperial Moth Caterpillar
Imperial Moth Caterpillar (Eacles imperialis). One of our largest caterpillars. The last instar, or larval stage, can grow to be 5.5 inches long. As an adult the Imperial Moth is mighty big too. Its wingspan ranges from 3 to 7 inches. They’re found from Quebec and Ontario to as far south as Argentina, from the…
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Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). If Virginia Creeper had the ability to party, this would certainly be its time. Sunlight shining through brightly colored leaves of vermilion. Glowing way up in the tree tops. Decorating the woods. For that long list of party attendees. If Virginia Creeper had the ability to party, this would certainly be…
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Pumpkin Season
Don’t blink. It won’t be here long. The leaves are just beginning to realize that things have got to change. First, from their many shades of luscious green to the warm rich colors of autumn. In no time we’ll be facing a black and white, pen and ink landscape, and frosty winter. Sparkly snow, ice…
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Dark Morph of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
The world of Nature always boggles my mind no matter what I am studying. There is always something that totally astounds me. One example is the dark morph of the female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). That’s one in the photo above. Yes, a Tiger Swallowtail. Not yellow, but black. Your location will influence how…
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Creeping Cucumber
Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula). Perfect for a dollhouse if you need a tiny watermelon of dollhouse scale. If only they would last. It is native to southeastern North America. With flowers of yellow, just 1/4 inch across. Though it is native it will be treated as a weed here. A weed, after all is a…
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Marbled Orb Weaver
They seem to arrive every year at this time. Just when I’m thinking about the grand holiday. Halloween. It’s as if they know I want my porches decorated for the big day. Dressed in an appropriate outfit for the season. Bright yellow and black coveralls complimented with long striped stockings of orange, black and white.…
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Aromatic Asters
Aromatic Asters (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) are visited by bees, butterflies and skippers, seeking nectar and in the case of the bees, pollen. The caterpillars of moths and of Silvery Checkerspot Butterflies eat the foliage. This Crab Spider is hanging around hoping to catch some dinner, just waiting for the perfect insect to come along. I’ve got…
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Monarch Migration Time
Such a delicate being. Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). A beautiful creature that lives a short life, two to six weeks unless it is fortunate enough to be the last generation of the year. Those of that lucky generation can live eight or nine months. They’re on their way. Escaping winter. They can’t survive a cold…
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A While Back on 29
Taking a break from nature for just a moment to look back. Route 29 in Charlottesville, just east of the airport. By 2004 when these pictures were taken the only thing left were signs. The motel was on the east side of Route 29. Now at that intersection there is a Walgreens and to the…