wildlife

[Michael J Campbell]

If you were not dead before being canonised you would definitely be dead after .

[David Nicholson]

You don't have to go off of on your own accord though

[johnw]

We could get a dispensation to use a chocolate trebuchet instead.

[Lesley Cox]

The mind really does boggle - while the mouth salivates!

Maggi I'm so sorry my initial comment has put you up for all these appalling procedures. I should have remembered that Fermi and David, in particular wouldn't let it go at that.

[fermi de Sousa]

Maggi I'm so sorry my initial comment has put you up for all these appalling procedures. I should have remembered that Fermi and David, in particular wouldn't let it go at that.

Moi!
My purpose was merely to point out your theological inaccuracy and bait warn David
cheers
fermi

[David Nicholson]

Well, it all went with a bang.

[Anthony Darby]

On Saturday I checked the three monarch pupae that I spotted in the front garden a while ago. Normally, by the end of May, any larvae or pupae die and go foostie. Not this year. Two (one on the house wall, the other on the jade plant) had hatched. The other was colouring up and hatched today, even though we have had two frosty nights, and temperatures struggling to get into double figures during the day.

[Gabriela]

Nice capture of the monarch hatching!

A first time encounter for me earlier in the week - hard to miss it at aprox. 6 cm long! ID as the Heterocampa umbrata moth caterpillar. It takes this very obvious colour only before pupating. Sitting on a Solidago stem - feeds on oaks.

[Gabriela]

Few images of yesterday, a fat, quite handsome caterpillar preparing to pupate - this time of the Polyphemus moth.


My favourite - the hummingbird clearwing moth.




Eastern Black Swallowtail and Giant Swallowtail - all  around a Vernonia clump and, alas not in my garden.

[ArnoldT]

Gabriela:

Here's what you to look forward to.

[Anthony Darby]

Used to breed polyphemus moths in the UK. Sent from the USA. My interest was sparked by reading 'Moths of the Limberlost' by Gene Stratton-Porter, a present from my piano teacher.

[Gabriela]

Gabriela:
Here's what you to look forward to.

These large moths are exquisite creatures; have seen once a Cecropia. Slim chances to catch this one though, so thank you for the picture!

Used to breed polyphemus moths in the UK. Sent from the USA. My interest was sparked by reading 'Moths of the Limberlost' by Gene Stratton-Porter, a present from my piano teacher.

I am not surprised at all some people are growing these beautiful giant silkmoths, Cecropia and  Promethea included. But I never heard about breeding moths?

[Anthony Darby]

I first visited Worldwide Butterflies (http://www.wwb.co.uk/) in 1968, and went to the 10th anniversary, with special guest Peter Scott, in 1970. I still keep in touch even though I can only buy equipment now. As you can see, many people keep and breed moths and butterflies.

[annew]

Our single baby swift flew the nest last week. As I stood outside watching him dither, a bat flew out from behind the box!

[scatigaz]

Most Swifts have  gone now but saw three today. I have three nest boxes on the house but have been unsuccessful so far.