Sights from around Croooked Acre: Bugs.
Today I’m posting pictures of bugs, which include spiders, snakes, bees and praying mantises (manti?) If you want to skip ’em, click here to go to the kitten pics.
Last summer was a very cicada-y summer, and when I spotted this line of discarded cicada shells, I thought it was cool.
Another discarded cicada shell.
Snake. I’d tell you what kind of snake, but I don’t know. Something not poisonous, anyway.
This cicada came out of his shell and hung out for a bit, drying, before he (she?) took off. Cicadas are just incredibly ugly, but also kinda cool. (Tommy and Sugarbutt used to bring cicadas into the house when we lived at Crooked Acres. I think they liked the way the cicadas vibrated in their mouths. Ugh.)
Buzz buzz.
We saw several golden orb weavers last summer, but so far this summer we haven’t seen one.
I know they’re big and leggy and kinda scary (and I sure wouldn’t want one in my hair)(side note: I would not want ANY spider in my hair, but the big leggy ones especially not), but I think they’re so cool. This one lived in one of the windows looking onto the front porch, but then disappeared one day and left no egg sacs behind. I guess she decided it wasn’t a safe place for babies to hatch.
Gentleman caller, perhaps?
Grasshopper?
Praying mantis. (That’s Fred’s hairy hand, not mine.)
And another praying mantis on the hummingbird feeder. I have heard that praying mantises can kill hummingbirds, so I ended up moving this one away from the feeder.
Dew-covered spider web (but no spider.)
Buzz buzz. I let the catnip go to flower this year, and the bees are LOVING it.
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Snoozin’ Rufous.
Tater in my lap, getting a belly rub, and trying to decide if she likes it.
Wren pulled down this dish towel and then she, Starling and Rufous took a nap on it. Because of course they did.
When Wren kneads, she purses her lips and it cracks me UP.
Starling’s having a think.
I told her how pretty she is, and she was all “Yeah, I know.”
Tater is such a snugglebug.
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Wren’s all “I asked Auntie Alice if we could have a snuggle and she harrumphed at me! I think that might be progress?”
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr) yesterday.
Rufous from the side. Seriously, this boy has the SWEETEST little profile.
Back in July 2016, we fostered a litter of kittens named after Evergreens, one of whom was this gorgeous girl, who is now Branwen (formerly Juniper). (That’s her in 2016 in the pink collar.) Now here she is, at 7 years old (time flies!), enjoying the freshly laundered mattress pad. She is such a beautiful girl!
(Thanks Tamra!)
Tater’s all “What? Is this not how you’re supposed to use this chair?”
YouTube link
Tater/Plover was on my desk checking out what I was doing, so I played the video of her chasing dust, and she found it fascinating.
Wren is always so very interested in what I’m doing, even if I’m just taking her picture.
YouTube link
It’s nap time and the kittens are sleepy. And talkative. Well, one of them is talkative – I’m sure you can guess who!
Good night innernets. (From front: Rufous, Starling, Tater/Plover & Wren. I am under the blanket they’re lying on. As you know, kittens have a body temperature of 7,000ºF and so I WOULD be melting except that I have my foot sticking out from under the blanket acting as temperature control, so I will not melt into a puddle.)
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Previously
2022: In case you missed it on social media over the weekend, Fergus was adopted and went home on Friday. And then Jamie was adopted and went home on Saturday!
2021: No entry.
2020: No entry.
2019: Margeaux’s kittens, named.
2018: “LADY. I does NOT look like no Muppet!”
2017: Gaston looks a little milk-drunk here.
2016: Archie & Stefan: Frenemies.
2015: Archie is a member of the Clean Plate Club.
2014: Grant has a think.
2013: “Iiiiiiiiiii am just a poor wee babyyyyyyy!”
2012: “I am smart enough, I din’t need no tutoring!”
2011: It’s sad, how tense Ciara is.
2010: No entry.
2009: No entry.
2008: Kittens, fighting.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.
Love your nature pics! I don’t care for spiders but think they are so cool, and I love snakes! I’ve never seen a praying mantis, ever, and really wish I could. They’re pretty cool, too.
Love the kitten pics, too. They are adorable creatures.
Gah! You can keep your Demon Bugs right there in the south!
Branwen is a beautiful kitty.
Snuggling on warm clean laundry, it’s a tough life obviously.
Robyn, I can’t believe you stick your foot out from the covers as a temp control. I thought I was the only one who did that. I feel so normal now!!!
My mother does that, too.
My husband does that too lol
I don’t mind the bugs pics at all, but the warning was nice for those who freak out.
Alice with her back to Wren cracks me up! (See no evil, hear no evil…)