Waterleaf, Virginia

Dame's Rocket - Mustard family escape

Eastern Garter snake

Velvet Ant

5-21
Dame's Rocket, an escape, was in flower today, as was Virginia Waterleaf.
This tiny Eastern Garter Snake turned man-eater when I picked him up. It was the most aggressive snake I ever handled!
And here Velvet Ants (Pseudomethoca oculata) were on the prowl for their favored prey, Solitary bees. Velvet ants are actually wasps. The females are flightless, and both males and females can squeak by rubbing their body segments against each other!
John