I Think That This Is A Hemlock Looper

 

A late arrival home this evening, the living room filled with ambient light from the two lamps that automatic turn on at dusk, must have attracted all of the local moths.  There were several plastered to the glass and with my usual curiosity I grabbed my camera and began to try and capture some photos.  I knew better but I proceeded to crack open the window to see the number of moths that continued to flutter about and accumulate on the glass.  Once the window was even slightly opened the moths seemed to consider it an invitation to dart through the crack as though they were racing to some exciting event inside the house.  I took a few photos and scurried to collect the intruders and proceed to the door with my collection of moth visitors.  One of the intruders seemed especially odd to me and I began to examine it thinking that something weird must be wrong with this creature.  I still have no clue about why it took on such odd shapes but after scouring my butterfly and moth nature guide I believe this is a Hemlock Looper.  I had to giggle because I seriously wanted to name it something else after observing the odd acrobats and contortions that it did with its body.
  Yeah..... Truly hideous!  And yet somehow totally interesting.

Unknown moth

Unfortunately this moth did not survive.  I found it in our garage window in a spiders snare.  I was sad to see that it was the capture that the spider had made.  I tried to look up the identification and it looked similar to one in my Butterfly and Moth identification book but I wasn't certain.  I'm on the road now and don't have my book handy so I decided to post the picture without an identification.  Maybe I can figure it out later!  I think that it was a close resemblance to one called a tiger moth.

Persistence....

These bumble bees were busy pollinating and such fun for me to watch.  Being persistent and patient when learning to photograph moving targets has been a challenge.  But I am determined to get the shot that is at least as clear as I can possibly manage in a split second.  And I hope that,  I will get better in time! 

Bumble bees loaded down with pollen as they continue to work over this Nandina domestica, (Sacred Bamboo, Heavenly Bamboo) in the family of Berberidaceae

 

 

Pollen loaded bumble bee

Tall Grasses Sway And Lake Demmick Glistens

Tall grasses swayed as the hot wind blew across the dam at Lake Demmick today.  The water glistened as the sun hit its surface and it almost made me forget how hot the sun was as it seemed to cool and calm something deep within me.  The dragonflies seemed to bask in the sunshine as they floated and fluttered above the tall grasses.  And the small butterflies seemed aloof as I struggled to get closer to them. Once I reached the shaded areas again I appreciated the wonderful canopy of deciduous trees that offered a cooling area for me from a hot summer day.

 

This Might Be An Hororary Dragonfly

 

On my morning walk with my husband he pointed out an unusual insect as he had chosen this trail for the adorable Ebony Jewelwing damselflies that emerge in the same creek year after year.  I enjoy photographing them and he knows that I have a special affinity for these beautiful creatures.  It was a sweet and appreciated gesture.   I did not spot this insect but he did and originally thought that it was a dragonfly.  I also thought that it was some sort of dragonfly.   And with some excitement I began to hurry to snap a photo.   Unfortunately, in my haste I failed to get a clear photograph.  I was not at all certain that it was a dragonfly so I contacted my friend Robley Hood, another nature lover and one whom studies dragonflies and damselflies daily.  She also, keeps her eyes peeled for other insects and creatures so she is my go to person when conferring on an unknown dragonfly or other insect.  I actually do not remember most of the dragonfly identifications or damselflies so she often helps me out.  If you enjoy nature blogs and photography you need to check out her blog: http://mydailysnap.blogspot.com/2013/07/you-win.html  She messaged me back on Facebook with this information: This is an honorary dragonfly, an owlfly, Ascaloptynx appendiculata. They resemble dragonflies in many ways as they fly around in the woods, but they are far less common. They deserve our attention too!  http://bugguide.net/node/view/4129

 

The picture below is what we had hoped to see and we did but we also had an unexpected surprise in the pictured insect above.

A male Ebony Jewelwing damselfly.  One of my favorites.