Eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum) live communally in silken tents designed to keep them warm in cooler weather. The brood side of the tent faces the sun and the caterpillars will add silk as needed. Slugs (Gastropoda) are very damaging pests in gardens and can be found in moist and humid climates, particularly during a […]
Nature & Wildlife
This category contains posts that are related to the nature and wildlife found where I live. I write about birds, insects, animals and the beauty in nature that surrounds me.
Bumblebees Visiting Autumn Black-Eyed Susan Flowering Plants
A Bumblebee (Bombus), Visiting A Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Growing In The Garden There Are Over 250 Known Species Of Bumblebees (Bombus), 49 Of These Species Can Be Found In The United States Bumblebees (Bombus), Are Important Pollinators In Most Parts Of North America Bumblebees (Bombus), Are Social Insects That Form Colonies Around A Single […]
A Young Garter Snake on an Autumn Day in Western Maine
The garter snake (Thamnophis) can be found throughout most of North America. Garter snakes are also called garden snake, gardner snake and ribbon snake. Garter snakes can be found in a variety of habitats including, forests, woodlands, grasslands and lawns. Garter snakes feed on earthworms, slugs, leeches, frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, fish, rodents and sometimes […]
A Painted Lady Butterfly Visiting a Mammoth Sunflower in the Garden
A painted butterfly (Vanessa Cardui) visiting a mammoth sunflower (Helianthus) in the garden during the early autumn in Maine. The painted butterfly is a common butterfly also known as a cosmopolitan or butterfly of thistle. The painted butterfly is one of the most widespread of butterflies and can be found throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, North […]
An American Toad in Western Maine
The American toad (Anaxyrus americanus), is a species of toad found throughout the eastern United States and Canada. This species is Maine’s only toad. The American toad is a short and squat amphibian, varying in shades of brown and covered in warts. They are more terrestrial than aquatic. These toads are mainly nocturnal and will […]
A Dragonfly During the Late Summer
A dragonfly (Odonata) sitting on a blooming dark pink phlox flowers (Polemoniaceae). A dragonfly holding onto a purple coneflower head (Echinacea purpurea). A close-up of a dragonfly. A side view of a dragonfly holding onto a purple coneflower. A dragonfly cleaning its face while sitting on the top of a purple coneflower. A dragonfly climbing […]
A Grasshopper Visiting a Purple Coneflower
A green grasshopper (Caelifera) sitting on a purple coneflower (Enchinacea purpurea). A grasshopper holding on to the Leaf of a purple coneflower in the flower garden. A grasshopper sitting on the leaf of a purple coneflower plant. A grasshopper holding on to the head of a purple coneflower. A grasshopper holding on to the stem […]
Photos of Grasshoppers Around the Property
The Grasshopper is an insect in the suborder (Caelifera) with in the order (Orthoptera) which consists of jumping insects. Grasshoppers are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, semi-arid regions and lowland tropical forests. Grasshopper colors can range from green to olive to brown and can also have red or yellow markings. A grasshopper […]
Late Spring Bumblebees in Maine
A bumblebee (Bombus) feeding from a malva flower. A bumblebee on a pink rhododendron flower (Ericales). A late spring bumblebee feeding from a white wild celery flower (Apium graveolens). A bumblebee landing on a pink malva flower. A bumblebee feeding from a rhododendron flower. A bumblebee feeding from a purple clover (Trifolium).
A Visit From an American Red Squirrel
Here are just a few photographs of one of my American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) visitors. A side view of an American red squirrel also referred to as pine squirrels, North American red squirrels, boomers and chickarees. A close-up of an American red squirrel in Maine during the winter. An American red squirrel a year-round […]