There was a loud knock at my front door. Wondering if the doorbell was broken, I opened it to find a pizza delivery driver at the bottom of my steps. A quick glance to my right revealed the problem. Our resident orb weaver had attached one of her anchor threads to the edge of our…
Month: October 2018
Halloween Porch Decorating
It’s that time of year. Pumpkins are perching on porch steps and faux spider webs festoon porch rails. I’m not much of a decorator. I just don’t enjoy all the putting up and taking down involved in elaborate displays. No worries- nature has me covered. No jack-o-lantern is needed when you have an anchor bug…
Morning Joe
A little over a week ago, my peaceful morning routine was completely shattered. There was no Joe. I didn’t even know Joe was such an important part of my morning until I stepped out my back door and he wasn’t there. I first noticed him one warm day in June. Every morning since then- he’s…
Last Monarch Pupa
Today may mark the end of the monarch butterfly season in my yard. This pupa is the very last that I’ve found. He attached himself to the end post of the rail on my front steps on September 22nd. Then shed his caterpillar skin, leaving it perched on top of his pupa form like a…
Turtle Visitor
Yesterday evening I was carrying in the groceries when I saw a new visitor headed up my drive towards my sidewalk. She was so brightly colored that, at first, I thought she was a male. Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina I set the groceries down and took a closer look. Her eyes were a pretty…
Ambush
A group of mosquitoes is called a scourge which seems pretty fitting these days. I normally don’t think much about mosquitoes, but with all the wet weather, they’ve been impossible to ignore. They swarm around me every time I step outside. I never thought I would find one beautiful until I saw this one drinking…
Yard Gone Wild 