Creatures

<em>Anthrenus verbasci</em><br />(Varied Carpet Beetle)

I wasn’t particularly pleased to find this tiny beetle in my house today. It is a varied carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci and it is quite small (those are millimeter markings on the ruler next to it). Fairly common, apparently, I had never seen one before. Not as bad as finding termites, perhaps, or even having a problem with wool eating moths, it’s still not something you want when you have “treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy.”

Wascally Wabbit

Shh. Be vewy, vewy quiet. I’m hunting wabbits.

I came home to find this fellow chomping away in our garden this evening. No, it didn’t go after it with the rake a la Mister McGregor but I can’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind.

Soaring

I took a two minute break today and stood at my office window enjoying the clouds and the multitudes of green that are beginning to appear on the other side of the parking lot. Looking up I saw this hawk circling overhead, looking for a meal.

Toad In The Grass

It isn’t as sinister as a snake in the grass but a toad in the grass is something to look out for. Cathy came across this fell while working in the yard this afternoon. After I took a few pictures I tried to clear the grass away for a better shot but he didn’t like that and backed down into the ground and disappeared.

<em>Ardea herodias</em> (Great Blue Heron)

As I pulled into the parking lot at work today I saw this heron down by the water. I parked, slowly opened the door and squeezed off three shots before he got spooked and flew away. The lighting was a bit rough and this long lens of mine is really not very sharp. Gotta save up for something better. Then again, I want something new on the wide end, as well. So many lenses, so little money.

<em>Colias philodice</em> (Clouded Sulphur)

Cathy and I took a walk at lunch time today and I saw a few sulphur butterflies. February seems like the wrong time of year for them, but for all I know they are active throughout the year. Anyway, it’s been a fairly mild winter, so it isn’t too surprising, anyway. This isn’t a particularly good picture but we were on a walk together rather than me being out specifically to chase butterflies. Also, no tripod.

When we first went to Alaska we’d be out and about and were constantly looking for bald eagles. We’d see a big bird and get excited only to get closer only to find it was a raven or sometimes not even a bird at all. It’s one thing to know you’re looking for a big bird but another thing once you’ve seen how very big they actually are.

I was out at Brighton Dam today, taking a few pictures and enjoying a fine, warm winter’s day when I looked up and saw this bird overhead. I really wish I had a better long lens—this is pretty fuzzy—still, it’s a bald eagle, which isn’t something you see every day around here.

Dem Dry Bones

Of course, dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones really refers to human bones and these are from a deer, but you get the idea.

Duck Lake

We went to see “The Nutcracker” this evening so I guess I’m thinking of ballet. “Duck Lake” would be sort of like “Swan Lake” only not so graceful? Maybe I could call this picture “The Ugly Cygnet,” about a duck that thinks it’s a swan but doesn’t understand why it looks so different. Or maybe I should simply call it “Duck.”