Showing posts with label caterpillars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caterpillars. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Flipping Rocks


One day, I found a caterpillar I didn't recognize, and went on-line to figure it out.

My search led me to Bev Wigney's "Burning Silo" blog, and her fabulous photos of the world in miniature. Her macro photography and her knowledge of bugs and other critters blows me away. I don't get there every day, but every time I visit, she makes me think or go "oooh, neat!" When you visit, be sure to read the side bar explanation of how her blog was named, it's a hoot!

Yesterday, I found this post, promoting
the second annual International Rock Flipping Day, to be held this year on Sept. 7. The rules are simple: Go outside and flip over a rock - it can be on dry land, in a creek bed, or under the sea, if you so choose - and observe, photograph, or otherwise celebrate what you find there. Just remember to return the rock to its original position; after all, you are invading someone else's home. You wouldn't want the woodland creatures to turn over your couch and leave it upside down, would you?

So come on, all you nature-nuts. Get outside and flip a rock on Sept. 7, then share what you found with the rest of us!

(Oh, yeah - the cat. It's an Eight Spotted Forester Moth caterpillar.)

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Name that cat!

Calling all you caterpillar experts out there. While trying for macro photos of the goldenrod growing by my back porch today (yeah, the weeds really are this high around my house!), I discovered this caterpillar. I noticed it would rear up at me when I got too close.


Here are some close-up photos. Any ideas what it might be? Using one Internet site, I thought it looked like some type of looper, but it didn't make an inchworm-type loop while I was observing it.

You can click to em-biggen.

Edit: I may have figured it out. A photo and link on "What's this bug?" led me to this photo on Bug Guide, and the following ID:

The caterpillar of the Goldenrod Hooded Owlet Moth. Its host plants are asters and, wait for it - goldenrod! Don't you love it when things come together?