Celebrating the ordinary
Harry and I recently hiked to the Rock Garden, one of our favorite spots at Natural Bridge State Park. Among other things we enjoyed seeing a Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata). It doesn’t look at all like a tiger – the name refers to the fact that they hunt other insects.
Continue reading “Six-spotted Tiger Beetle and Purple Phacelia”
I was at the Lexington Arboretum recently and saw at least fifteen Red Admiral butterflies (Vanessa atalanta) in the same area. I’ve often seen Red Admirals, but usually only one at a time.
After some reading, I’ve discovered these butterflies often migrate south in autumn and north in spring, and I’m guessing that I was seeing part of their northward migration. This one was basking in the sun on a stone column.
This post is in response to recent questions about my photography equipment. Technology is not my strong suit, so I tend to keep my equipment simple. My primary camera is a Canon Rebel XSi. It’s lightweight, just over a pound, which was a big reason for my choice.
Harry and I recently went to Natural Bridge State Resort Park near Slade, KY, one of our favorite places to hike. Our spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is blooming (read last year’s spicebush post), and I was pleased to find it scattered through the woods as well.
With all of our recent warm weather, plants are a good two weeks ahead of their usual schedules and there were plenty of signs of spring.
We woke yesterday morning to find four inches of snow and a beautiful winter wonderland. This was the view from our dining room window.
The cedar tree is this year’s annual Christmas tree for the birds. I’ve recently discovered a new way of using it as a bird feeder.
