The word for today is ...

Proboscis - a long straw like structure on the head of a butterfly which they use to drink nectar and juices. When not in use, the proboscis remains coiled like a garden hose.
I remember this word from the Cootie game that I played as a child.

What is it?

I was not familiar with this insect so I sent the image to bugguide.net which is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology. Within an hour I received an email answer back that it was a Mydas Clavatus fly which is one of the largest flies in the U.S.

Peek-a-boo

I see you ....

Mr. Stink Bug

Stink bugs are named for the pungent odor they emit. They are distinguished from other bugs by the large triangular scutellum (a triangular piece between the folded wings).

Silver-spotted Skipper

One of the larger skippers, the silver-spotted skipper is easily identified by the large white (not silver) spot on the underside of each hindwing.

American Painted Lady

The two eyespots on the hind wing distinguish the American Painted Lady from the standard Painted Lady which has four small eyespots.

Look up in the sky ....

It's a bird .... It's a plane ...



It's a ... Black saddlebags dragonfly

Black color in the rear wings near the body give the effect of "saddlebags".

The Beat of a Different Drummer

A strange "rat-a-tat-tat" sound emanating from the fireplace this morning turned out to be a woodpecker on top of the chimney.

Woodpeckers use these short one-second bursts of noise to announce their territory or attract a mate. Play the video below to hear the sound of the new drummer in the neighborhood.

Hard at Work

Update: I found out that this is not a bee or a wasp but is a hoverfly. Hoverflies are excellent examples of Batesian mimicry (named after H. W. Bates who first described it in 1862). They generally mimic bees and wasps – insects that sting and also taste unpleasant, so are avoided by predators.

Southern Cloudywing

Southern Cloudywing

another member of the skipper family

"Fantasy" Crepe Myrtle

The first blooms are appearing on our white "Fantasy" Crepe Myrtle. This crepe myrtle was planted 4 years ago and bloomed for the first time last year. It looks like it will have even more blooms this year.