Welcome to the weekend, folks! Here’s a moth I found on a doorstep as I was walking downtown earlier in the fall. Not to be too judgmental about the whole camouflage strategy, but it seems to me that the illusion of eyes loses some of its threat potential if there are more then two of them (it kind of gives away the whole ruse, doesn’t it?). But maybe I misunderstand the point of the illusion, or maybe as Emmie suggests, the moth is counting on really dumb predators…
Anyway, there are more creatures on the ark and a Friday to sink into, so be safe and happy and have a relaxing weekend!
They’re creepy and they’re kooky… mysterious and spooky… they’re altogether ookie…
Just in time for Halloween, some spiders have made themselves known to me this week. I noticed this first one just a few minutes ago as I was headed downstairs to have some lunch. It’s up there as I type, hanging in the doorway of Emmie’s bathroom and while it’s not quite as huge as this image implies (its body isn’t more than an inch long), it is an intimidating (though hopefully harmless? …anyone?) critter.
I found this second one at the beginning of the week as we were bringing the plants inside for the night (the temperature actually dipped below freezing here! Yay! Take that, you stupid aphids!). I carried a stack of ceramic saucers into the house and as I spread them out on the floor, I noticed a black spider in one of them. Now, I don’t know much about spiders, but have have this vague idea that black ones are not good. So, I carried it back outside and watched it as it crept carefully away.
Can you see that little red spot on its belly? I didn’t notice it until the spider lowered itself to the ground, and then I realized just what kind of spider I had just kicked out of my house. <<<shudder>>> It didn’t occur to me until it was gone that I maybe should have squished it on the sidewalk…
Have a happy Halloween, everyone! Have fun and, as always, take a few moments to check out the creatures on this week’s ark!
I took this photo at the Chattanooga Market earlier this summer. I decided to put it up this week after running across this article about clothianidin and colony collapse disorder — is there a connection?
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Give the arkettes a peek when you have a chance!
I popped by Crabtree Farms this week, and caught this guy, hard at work. Lately, with all the bad news about bees, I’m always glad to see the few that are left.
Have you got the Olympics Fever yet?!? I’m pretty psyched — I’ve loved watching the games since I was a kid — but I’m going to make a quick trip out of town for a wedding before I can sink into the coverage. Have a great weekend (and go say hello to the arkettes!)!
Back in the present (or at least recent history), a bunch of bugs like this one invaded our yard this past week. One day I walked out back and there were dozens of what I think were figeater beetles flying around a foot or three off the ground. It was very disconcerting to watch because they look a lot like bees but they careened about without regard to what they might run into — kind of like drunken bees, I guess. Anyway, a few days later, they disappeared just as suddenly as they had arrived.
In other news, today brings us the 200th edition of the Modulator’s Friday Ark! Wow! Congrats, Steve & Co.!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
I’m going to do a cleanup post this week and give you all the creatures I have left from my trip (I’m also going to make a push to finish up my travelogue in the next few days). So here are the bugs, reptiles, amphibians and fish of Turkey…
Happy Independence Day! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend (go say hi to this week’s critters when you can!)!
Another soldier of spring marches onward.
Have a wonderful weekend, folks! You will find many other creatures on the the Modulator’s Friday Ark!
It is spring, and this bee on a dandelion proves it. I took this photo just a few days ago while Dear Puppy and I were out cruising the neighborhood.
I’m blowing out of town for the weekend, so it might be quiet here for a few days (hopefully, the news will take a break for the holiday as well!). Be chill, happy, enjoy your holiday and be safe! (More Good Friday creatures await on the ark!)
My creature this week is not in very good shape, so if you want to see something more animated, check out the critters on the friday ark!
Now, on with the creature…
Don’t you just hate it when you’re in the shower, suds in hair, and you happen to glance up at your shampoo bottle…
… and realize that you’re washing your hair in bug cooties? Ew. I doubt this is what Alberto VO5 was referring to with their “new!” decal.
I don’t have a holiday creature this week — we never have been able to get the dog to wear even a hat, and she’s certainly not going to let us tie a branch to her head in a Grinch-esque fashion, so instead I have a bug. I thought we were through with them for the year, but I almost stepped on this one as I was coming down the stairs this week.
Other creatures are filling up the modulator’s ark as we speak! Have a wonderful holiday weekend, everyone! Stay safe and be happy!
