Wednesday's Waterworks

Blogging for One Year

My first blog post was one year ago today!

 Over 7,000 pageviews since - WOW!

Short on words...long on pictures...a busy 12 months...just flew by!

with Uncle Tyro

one year ago today

Pointing Diva
one week ago

 Diva trying to Sunbathe

one year ago today

one month ago

I Spy

While nose-to-nose with a Red Admiral,

I spied something that

is black and yellow 

is much larger than most of our winged visitors

 

 Papilio brevicauda

"Short-tailed Swallowtail"

 

Caught in the Act

Listen closely!

What wild beast is devouring the butterfly bush?

A voracious avian?  A behemoth butterfly?
 A colossal caterpillar?

Alas, it's the elusive and industrious
Blonde-Bellied Burnished Twigshredder!

(And I'll bet you thought my dressing like a lumberjack at Christmas

was just a random novelty!?!)

Wednesday's Waterworks

Unwelcome Visitor

Not happy to see this incredibly destructive pest clinging to a window pane!!!

Lymantria dispar

Gypsy Moth

Gypsy moth caterpillars defoliate trees, shrubs and hardwood forests thereby weakening their hosts and leaving them susceptible to disease and other pests. Apparently, Gypsy Moth outbreaks come in 7-10 year cycles and last for 2-3 years. The last outbreak here was about 5 years ago and in spite of aggressive multiple pest control measures at that time it looks like a new outbreak is on the horizon far earlier than expected. According to the city's urban forestry website, plans are currently being made for aerial spraying and other pest control measures to occur next year.

I Spy

I spy,with my little eye, something that

has a wing span of 62-75mm

is the state insect of Montana

Nymphalis antiopa

 

one of the first arrivals to the garden this summer