Thought you were going "buggy?"

Spiders (Araneae) » Opisthothelae » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynes » Orb Weavers (Araneidae) » Neoscona (Click on the photo if you want an up-close and personal view!)

He may not play baseball, but this fellow makes his living
catching flies!
Just don't let on about your arachnaphobia! :-)

According to Bugguide, this is spider is a Neoscona. It was just outside the front door, on the front porch, in its somewhat destroyed orb web. We're looking at its underside. I was taken with the markings that seemed somehow "facelike."

It didn't seem bothered at all that I was probably within "striking distance," so I took several photos. ;-)

The next photograph is a web I found a few weeks earlier. Perhaps my Neoscona left this one to make the other...Might it be that this is "Charlotte's" great-great-great-grandchild? Something to ponder out here in the shade!

Were We Talking About Moments That Take Your Breath Away?

There I stood on the front porch, leaning on and over a potted hibiscus with my arms outstretched. My camera was in my hands; focused on a single hummingbird feeder.

And, in came this little "hummer!"

Enjoy the photos. Please click on them for wonderful close-ups.

I couldn't help myself. There were so many little birds vying for each of the three feeders in the front yard, that I had to be part of the experience!

I'm sure I spotted only one male. His ruby throat is unmistakable.
(The males may have discovered the lone feeder I hid in the backyard yesterday. Possibly they were having an easier time of "sharing the wealth!"
As I held the camera, two or three of them hummed over and around my head, coming between my arms, under my chin, to sip nectar from the hibiscus flowers.

I could hardly breathe!

*As a postscript, you might have noticed all the "insectavariety" (my own word) with which the hummingbirds must compete for food.

Buzzing About With the 'Hummers!'

We get Ruby-throated hummingbirds in Iowa.

There are two little ones at the right-hand feeder.

I'm going to furnish a couple of short videos, if possible!

This first one shows us that our "Guard Bird" has gone off-duty. Finally!

I just didn't have the heart to try to download another video! So I put it on Youtube.
Perhaps I can add a link here. This video isn't better quality, but you'll see a LOT of hummingbirds and a quick close-up or two! ;-)

My Pearl Crescent

I chased these little fast-flying fellows all over a field last weekend.
(With my little camera, you need to get close!)
Today I was painting a shutter for the shed, and what should appear...
but a fast-flying, quick-"breathing," Pearl Crescent.

Guess he wanted a closer view of what I was doing... so I obliged him!

Aliens???

I spotted these yesterday as I drove by our friends' house... I didn't slow down to take a closer look, until today.

All in a row.
Thought I'd better investigate.
Wanted to see if there were "wee folks" climbing down outta there.

Could this be the result of toppermost-atmospheric-incomprehensible-heat and burn-upon-entry?

And... might this be the Command Center?

Are you with me? I'm going Down Under!
Taking a peek... AAAHHHHH!

Hey... it's Beautiful down here!I don't see a sign of anyone,
but this thing is HUGE!
I feel like a little, bitty fellow...
Wonder if I could crawl up this "tree."
If I could just get up to that ring.

(If you don't hear from me pretty soon,
please call home.)

It's Shady under here, too!

Bird Activity

You'll have to "click" on the photos for more detail!

The self-appointed "Guard Bird" (Ruby Throated Hummingbird) watches and waits...American Goldfinches stop by, and then...

a Baltimore Oriole declares this to be his favorite "Watering Hole!"

Better Than Scratching Chigger Bites...

... was the opportunity to head downtown wearing my "jammies!" Several downtown merchants sponsored "Ladies' Night Out" Tuesday evening from 6-9:00 P.M.

(They even offered discounted merchandise, too.)

Now, I am not likely to allow such an event to pass unnoticed. And, you can probably tell by the looks of it, I have a couple of equally ostentatious friends! I did take the liberty of editing the photos to "protect the innocent."

Here's the question: Would you allow these people in YOUR store?

Ah, yessss. An opportunity to kick up our heels!

(Nice legs!)

Did I mention a discount???

Last, but not least...

... is a vote for the winning "jammies!"
You COULD vote for me! (I'm the one with the
crazy robe and white long pants covered with cherries!)

Too bad this doesn't have anything to do with gardening... but
you might considered it rather "shady!" ;-)