Rock Rose (Cistaceae)

A beautiful Rock Rose.


Plant identification by Mrs. Social Butterfly (Thank you!)

Stream

Late Fall in Southern California

The last of the leaves clutch to their branches before giving way to winter.

Good Morning!

As the sun began to rise on a foggy day, morning dew clings to a Cannas plant.

Fall in Southern California

Autumn is my favorite season of the year. Unlike our neighbors to the north that experience the real Fall Colors, we in Southern California have quite a different experience. Autumn in Southern California translates as "less hot" than the previous months. While further north, Autumn is apparent anywhere you go, you usually have to hunt for it in Southern California.






Note: The sky in this image has not been enhanced.

The Grid Blues

Surrounded by the Metropolis, with its streets and canyons of buildings, all designed in grids, the hustle and bustle of a city can bring many of us down, feeling so boxed in, detached from the natural world of our origins. This image reaches out to me as a literal representation of "The Grid Blues".

Grasshoppers & Mediterranean Praying Mantid

This grasshopper's eye is reminiscent of the tiger's-eye gemstone.




I prefer Mediterranean "Preying" Mantis. I understand that officially it is a Mediterranean "Praying" Mantis, but I am not quite sure how a bug can be religious.

Beelieve It!

A female worker bee pollinates the autumn blossom of the South American Pink Silk Floss Tree. As she collects the pollen, she stores it with her pollen basket.

I have posted these images near full resolution. Click on the image you would like to enlarge. These are an absolute must for viewing in full resolution!

Colors

Updated: 10/13/2006

Various plants that had intense, yet pleasing colors to the eye.

Ceratostigma Abyssinicum


Paddle Plant (Kalanchoe Thyrisflora)


South African Honeysuckle (Turraea Obtusifolia)

Early Evening in the Valley

As the sun dips lower into the horizon, beams of light peak through creating ideal illumination for these dramatic colors.

Vivid Dancer & California Spreadwing (Damselfly vs. Dragonfly)

The Odonata ("toothed ones") includes three groups of species. The two groups that interest us for this post are Zygoptera (which includes damselflies), and Anisoptera (which includes dragonflies).


The Vivid Dancer is a member of the Zygopetera. Observe how it's wings are held above the body while at rest. This is the quickest way to identify whether you are viewing a damselfly or dragonfly. The body of damselflies are also much more slender by comparison.



The California Spreadwing is a member of the Anisoptera. It's body is quite stout in comparison to the previous Vivid Dancer. We can also quickly identify it as a dragonfly by noticing that it's wings extend to each side of the dragonfly while at rest.

Bugs

A busy day in the insect community as they prepare for winter and consume lunch.


A lady bug, hornet, and bee gather for a lunch meeting.



A Syrphid Fly. These flies are known for their bee or wasp mimicry.



Woodland Skipper.



Painted Lady.


Patience rewards us with a rare treat. A Gray Hairstreak butterfly stops for a short rest.

All in a Day's Work

A female bee visits a flower combing the grains of pollen into her baskets. Pollen from the flower also sticks to the bee’s hair.

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