9-21

If ever a caterpillar could be considered beautiful, I think this Cecropia moth specimen would qualify.

When young, cecropia caterpillars are black and bristly; later they are orange; next they turn greenish; this is their final color phase.

Soon this one will spin a cocoon attached to a twig in which it will overwinter as a pupa.

This one was feeding voraciously on steeplebush. It didn't seem to mind having its picture taken.

John

Fisher scat was found on our road, and only plant vegetation was in it.
Raccoon scat was filled with cherry pits. There were plenty of cherries around and I enjoyed eating them.

9-19 Ants farming aphids under a milkweed leaf. The aphids produce 'honeydew' that the ants crave.

John

9.05.10 Wetland wandering (or wandering in former wetland) demonstrated their importance to wildlife. The receding water has left a slate upon which animals leave their inscriptions.

9-3

A moss gall which has its own strange beauty and elusive astringent/green appleish odor turns this multiflora rose into a fascinating exotic.

Moss gall is caused when a 4 mm long wasp (Diplolepus rosae) lays up to 60 eggs in the terminal bud of the rose.

I rather like the results!

John