Luna Moth Caterpillar On The Move

Luna moth caterpillar in Ontario, Canada.

Jean found this Luna Moth caterpillar mid-August on our cottage deck here in Ontario, Canada. From what we can see, this caterpillar is in its 5th instar, the 5th molt, which is the last instar for this type of moth. Read more

Buzzed by CMR Blisterbeetles in the Kalahari Desert

image of a CMR Blisterbeetle on Yellow Bird of Paradise Shrub, Olifantshoek, Kalahari Desert, South Africa

A day after visiting the Witsand Nature Preserve Kalahari, in South Africa, Bob and I continued on our journey east from Upington. Next in our sights was Kuruman, which is considered the Oasis of the Kalahari. It was at a roadside stop en route that we were buzzed by CMR Blisterbeetles, the largest insects we’ve ever seen. Read more

Grape Leaf Beetle On The Move

grape leaf beetle in Ontario, Canada

Bob and I were out hiking on the edge of a forest in Ontario, Canada, when we came upon this intriguing-looking insect called a Grape Leaf Beetle. Read more

A Ball Of Cross Orbweaver Spider Babies

Hundreds of baby orbweaver spiders in Ontario, Canada.

A neat “find” in our backyard recently was a ball of spider babies, hundreds of Cross Orbweaver spiderlings. Read more

Magical Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

Sometimes the pace of life can be just so daunting that it is near impossible to simply slow up and smell the flowers. Well, one spring, as we prepared to smell the Lilac blossoms, this magical Hummingbird Clearwing Moth appeared out of nowhere and stole the show. Read more

Monarch Butterflies Are On The Move In Toronto

Monarch butterflies fluttering in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

One fall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, we came upon a flutter of Monarch butterflies at Colonel Samuel Smith Park on the edge of Lake Ontario. The winds were brisk out of the northwest, and as a result, the butterflies were staying very low.

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A Very Lucky Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

image of an eastern or canadian tiger swallowtail larva, in ontario, canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do you like my new little buddy? It is the cutest little caterpillar, an Eastern or a Canadian Tiger Swallowtail larva likely in its third or 4th instar, soon to cocoon and morph into a beautiful butterfly. Read more

Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies in Ontario, Canada

baltimore checkerspot butterfly, rouge national urban park, markham, ontario

We were really struck by the beauty of the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies that we observed in Toronto. This is a species that we had never seen before. Read more

Driving The Ecotour Road In Grasslands National Park

Image of jean sitting at the borderlands lookout, grasslands national park, saskatchewan

On our first full day at Grasslands National Park, after waking up very early and having a hearty breakfast, we took the advice of our hostess and set out to drive the Ecotour Road to the Borderlands Lookout.  It was a relaxing way to start our explorations on the heels of a very long travel day. Read more

Cecropia Moth Caterpillar in Rouge National Urban Park

cecropia moth caterpillar, rouge national urban park, markham, ontario

On a late summer afternoon, Bob made a brief stop at North Reesor Pond in Rouge National Urban Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His intention was to look for shorebirds, but with none presenting, he began to scour the reeds and bushes for insects. That is when he happened upon this most unusual caterpillar, a Cecropia Moth Larva. Read more

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