MAY AND JUNE...4 (SMALL CREATURES)

Whatever you were just thinking while looking at this...is pretty much what I thought when I first saw these. I was shocked when I came upon these, as I walked closer to them (I think with my mouth open in awe!), they all moved at once.....SYNCHRONIZED!! It turns out that they are European Pine Sawfly larvae of a primitive wasp-like insect that prefers Mugho pine and rarely feeds on Ponderosa. Lucky me, these larvae fed on both in my woods. They move branch to branch stripping the tree of its' needles. The larvae raise their heads and tails in a threatening manner to scare off intruders in a synchronized fashion. It has got to be one of the wildest, strangest things I have seen! Fortunately, the birds ate them, but I'm sure I'll have some next year, from fallen larvae. They are the most common sawfly to infest Pines.

My kids always called these...stinky bugs. I have no idea what it is.

A young dragonfly clings to an orange Lily on the woods' edge across the pond. Dragonflies and flowers...it doesn't get much better for me. This was on one of my early morning walks.

A makeshift wooden bridge covers what I call a "sometimes creek". When my daylilies or daisies fall over and onto the bridge, that's where they stay! I like that loose, casual, natural look. Obviously, this flower was meant to be here, because from my kitchen window I snapped this photo of two butterflies sharing this flower.

Apologies to any guests that have seen and read the post dedicated to my new favorite damsel on my other blog...but, this Ebony Jewelwing damsel is simply a beauty...she deserves another showing. The male is also featured on my damsels and dragons blog. The bodies are brilliant metallic green and blue...and how awesome are those black wings!

MARCH TO APRIL...6

It's time for me to play catch up with my journal here at Wishnik Woods. It's been over two weeks since I've posted due to technical problems ....again. We had a virus and attempted to install a couple of new security programs, hopefully we found a good match now. Life has been a whirlwind these past couple of weeks. Among it all, we also had to put down one of our indoor cats, Isabelle. She was a sweet, tiny cat who suffered from kidney failure. She looked just like her mom, Patches, except with long hair. It wasn't an easy thing to do, I'll miss her.

Spring has finally arrived, but as usual, old man winter still made a few final appearances. March and April this year have been extremely windy for us, challenging me as I was trying to photograph. We have had a potpourri of weather, as you will see in these six part posts. This post represents the most current conditions, as you go back to part one...I'm taking through mid-April back to March. My Daffodils weathered warm temps in the 60's, and a day later were snow covered. This cycle has been repeated and it's amazing how they have survived and still look beautiful through all of the seasons' changes. Notice how the bees have survived as you go through the posts, it's interesting that when I first saw them in early March, with no blooms to rely on, they invaded my bird feeders. After that, they moved unto the Redbud blooms and then my Japanese Willows.

On an early morning walk, my daffodils shimmered with ice crystals... they almost appear to be sprinkled with coconut!

I couldn't resist photographing this shot. At the end of the waterfalls, leading into the pond, this daffodil and her silhouette are striking against the backdrop as the sunset graces the waters' surface. What could be more perfect? A dragonfly casually perched on top of the stem!

A Dwarf Weeping Cherry Tree is presenting her Spring blooms. This beauty is located on the ponds' edge, by late July, practically every leaf is eaten by Japanese beetles.

Even though the dandelions are considered a menace, I actually like the flower itself...looks like I'm not the only one. Now that I've finally caught up with my posting, it's time I play catch up enjoying other blogs.

MARCH TO APRIL...4

The ric-rac pattern of the branches frames the rising moon.

Frantically searching for pollen, the bees are bombarding all of my Japanese Willow bushes and trees.

We usually hear the wild turkeys when they land on top of the cabin and walk around...not to be outdone...O.J. attempts and succeeds to land on the cabin roof!

On a walk along the back edge of our property, an old ragged Apple Tree still manages to show off her emerging pastel blooms.
This Tufted Titmouse was quite happy watching me wash the dishes through the kitchen window.

MARCH TO APRIL...1

Yes??....Can I help you?! Under the shade of my sacred tree, we played a game of peek-a-boo for several minutes as he bobbed in and out from behind safety of the tree trunk.

March 6...the bees overtook our bird feeders in a desperate attempt in search of pollen. They actually tripled their congregation inside the feeder after this photo was taken. After doing some research, it seems that the bees were perhaps feeding on the residual powder in the bird seed mix. It was a delicate procedure to disassemble the bird feeder in late evening when the bees were docile. My husband took the feeder to the woods' edge and carefully emptied the feeder, we then secured the feeder in a trash bag for several days.

A cold gust of wind convinced this guy to swing his tail up and across his body.

Who couldn't love this face?