16-AUG-2017
Pollinator beds
Or, as they are known, "pollinator garden in a box", a joint project of Friends of the Earth and the Fletcher Wildlife Garden to promote planting for pollinators.
16-AUG-2017
Grass-carrying wasp (Isodontia mexicana)
The bee box, which 10 days ago had one completed grass-carrying wasp nest, and another that was being provisioned with food for larva, today had a second completed one, and a third was being worked on. Here, the wasp is carrying a long strand of grass into the hole. I watched as it was dragged in, disappearing bit by bit, and it was evident that the wasp was working hard to arrange the grass in the nest hole as the back legs and rear end would appear, then vanish, then appear again, and the the length of grass grew shorter and shorter as it was drawn in. Interestingly, the nest hole into which an Isodontia was carrying prey (tree crickets), showed no signs of having a nest.
16-AUG-2017
Grass-carrying wasp (Isodontia mexicana)
Another shot of the wasp carrying the grass into the nest hole.
22-JUL-2017
Treehopper (Acutalis brunnea)
A very small green treehopper that hangs out on green plant stems, often goldenrods, thus making it tough to see at time. But look for the dark head!
08-AUG-2017
Green lacewing eggs (Chrysopa)
These minute eggs are on the underside of a red oak leaf. They are laid by the beautiful green lacewing whose larvae are very predatory, feeding on aphids. For that reason, green lacewings are sought after by gardeners wishing to control bugs like aphids, without using chemicals.
08-AUG-2017
Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus)
A young cottontail that is far too oblivious to dogs and people for its own good. It completely ignored Sasha (who was on a leash but still looming large), and me and it was only when I got within a few feet that it slowly ran into the rose bushes in the Backyard Garden.
08-AUG-2017
Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
Looking much like a prairie dog here (but after all, they are both ground squirrels), I realized when I photographed this that I rarely see chipmunks standing up like this.
08-AUG-2017
Leafcutter bee (Megachile pugnata)
I am not quite sure what is going on here. When I first started watching the bee box, the end of the tube in the nest hole was covered with what I assume to be pollen (rich, golden yellow). Then this bee came along and pulled away a large chunk, flew off, came back a short while later (well, I don't really know for sure it was the same one) and tore off more and then that was that.
ID to species is thanks to John Ascher.
08-AUG-2017
Hover fly (Eristalis)
Like so many insects, hover flies enjoy nectaring on Queen anne's lace. As you can see, this species is a bee mimic.
08-AUG-2017
Grass-carrying wasp (Isodontia mexicana) with tree cricket
Another shot of the wasp carrying the poor tree cricket into its nest hole. It looks like the wasp has a long forked tongue, but those are the antennae of the cricket.
08-AUG-2017
Leafcutter bees (Megachile)
Leafcutter bees were coming and going constantly at the bee boxes, which are well-used with many of the holes already occupied.
08-AUG-2017
Grass-carrying wasp (Isodontia mexicana)
This wasp in the Sphecid family, is carrying a paralyzed tree cricket (Oecanthus sp.) into a nest hole in one of the bee boxes. These living, but inert, crickets will be fed upon by the wasp larvae once they hatch. I spent some time watching the box and the wasp returned at least three times with a paralyzed cricket. You wouldn't think there'd be enough room in there for that many. In the top image, the long appendages that appear to be coming out of the wasp's mouth, are actually the extremely long antennae of the tree cricket.