July 26, 2026

Well, folks, it's another week and now we're into mid-July 2026.  It's hot already (still), and I'm running the air conditioner almost full-time these days and nights.  But guess what?  We're almost into the halfway point through the summer.  Give us another week or two and the summer-lovers will be bemourning that halfway point.   (If you like that word "bemourning", I give you permission to use it, "real word" or not, since we don't bemoan much these days.  If not, then at least let ME use it when it seems appropriate (whether it is or not)!  OK?  Thanks everybody!  (When you get your own blog, it only seems right that you should be able to use the language as it seems right at that time!  And apparently you get your own blog just by deciding you want to do that!)  

Here are some pictures of the pretty flowers coming up around us.  This one is a apparently a Bull Thistle, which name I used to use with some care but now feel so free with it that I'll probably use it whenever and however I like!  

Here is a Purple and Black Beetle that is running about out there these days.  In other lights, the purple gives back to greyish tones. 

The velvety tones of these elegant plants goes along with the springtime variation in texture and colors of the various plants.  By the way, the elegant moth we saw last week contributed by Polly Moore, turns out to be (most likely) Haploa clymene, the Haploa Tiger Moth (subfamily Arctiinae).   Chaim Bertman got this by running it through Chatgpt.  Thanks to Polly,  Chaim and Chatgpt!  This diagnosis also showed up on iNaturalist as Leconte's Haploa Moth Haploa lecontei.

Here are a couple of little American Toads.   

Here is a pair of mating insects.  Second is another interesting species, still waiting to be identified.  Third is some kind of Fly.

Here is another mysterious creature, no clue as to identity!  I hope I'll find another picture in another context!  Second is a little Moth, still looking for an ID!  And third, that beautiful tiny fly is also still looking for ID!

Wonder what these could be!  (Third is at least a Damselfly.)

Well, I've already been up since dawn, and this may be the end of the search for today's volunteers!  

It has been interesting to be up so early and to see so many new or at least not-yet-identified strangers!  Please join me next week for the search.  In the meantime, enjoy your day and week until we meet again!

Love, Martha