September 7, 2025

It was in the 40's when I got up this morning.  My toes are still chilly a couple of hours later.  Let's see what has happened this week.  Summer does seem to have heard Nature's call to finish off and let Autumn have its way.  The goldenrod came in this week, bringing her usual entourage of characters and colors.  This first photo shows the subtle mix of colors in one unknown plant.  Then you see the red-striped Leafhopper with its red AND blue stripes.  Finally, the Japanese Anemones are now coming into full bloom as if to say, yes, Autumn is here to stay (for a while).

So much gold!  First we see a Spotted Cucumber Beetle-- then a Goldenrod Beetle, and finally a Northern Paper Wasp.

The Goldenrod also seems to attract certain Butterflies - here is one of the frequent guests, a Gray Hairstreak.  

The yellow also attracts the yellow of some Bees, here a Honeybee of some sort.  And another.  And another, this one inside a golden Evening Primrose blossom.

The yellow is the mating color for a number of creatures.  I have been quite genteel about not pointing out the sex of the various insects, but usually it is the male on top, as in these two pictures of mating Ambush Bugs. 

Here is a Northern Paper Wasp.  Then a Wasp I have seen for years and still don't know its name!  The third one may or may not be the same as number 2.

Here are three more Wasps unidentified (by me).

Here are a couple of different kinds of bees, all coveting that goldenrod! 

Here is an Autumn-bloomer I bought many years ago and still haven't looked up its name!  It is gradually pinking up. Meanwhile, the Water Lily has a somewhat pallid bloom.

Here is a little Spider that I haven't found yet.  Next is a Cross Orb Weaver.  Third is a Tan Jumping Spider (Platycryptus undatus )  I think Tan-mouthed Jumping Spider would be a great alternate name for it.

I have some bad news about that last little Monarch pupa that we kept downstairs to hatch - I still haven't seen an adult Monarch all summer.  Anyway, the pupa has turned very dark and has a stringy thing hanging down from it.  Chaim asked Chatgpt what might be happening and they said the hanging string might be from an infection or an organism.  

Here is one of those Ambush Bugs which seems to have nailed a big green Fly.  The second is a Pennsylvania Ambush Bug.  Third I labeled Evening Primrose.  I don't know why it's called a Primrose as it doesn't seem to be related to the ones that come in the Spring!!

Well, friends, I think this is a good place to stop.  The summer is gradually coming to an end, even though Fall doesn't officially come till the 21st.  I hope you are all happy and healthy and able to enjoy your environment.  Love, Martha