Friday, August 15, 2008

Close encounter with a Chipmunk (Tamias striatus), and some other miscellaneous local fauna

I think this little guy (young, and quite tame) climbed up the metal pole and had no idea how to get down again.


Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)

The shape of the silver mark on the hind underwing distinguishes this butterfly from the closely related and very similar Comma (Polygonia comma ... not illustrated).


Plain Ringlet or Common Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia)


Green Stink Bug (Chlorochoroa sp.)


An unidentified Skipper (family Hesperiidae)


The proverbial "fly on the wall" ... a Robber Fly (family Asilidae), an excellent example of convergent evolution. These predators rely on speed to catch their dinner. Their streamlined shape, long wings, large eyes and hairy legs resemble those of the unrelated dragonflies. Some Robber Flies mimic Bumblebees, I'll try to get a picture of one of these flies sometime in the future.