213 Cocoon - Thursday, July 31st, 2008
July 31, 2008
Let’s close July out with one of the sure signs that summer’s end is drawing near. I typically see these caterpillar cocoons showing up, dotting the treeline in mid to late august.
212 Pollen Yet Ungot - Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
July 30, 2008
With miles of pollen yet ungot
our bee friend flies elated
Stopping here and all about
his hunger yet unsated.
Buds on tree and flowers in pot
his effort undiminished
with miles pollen yet ungot
this chore remains unfinished.
211 Super Fly - Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
July 29, 2008
In keeping with our insect theme this month, I thought it apropos that I post this picture of probably the largest, most hideous fly I’ve ever seen. I noticed something on the boardwalk across the canal path and looked down to see this gorgeous beast staring back at me. It was a little larger than the size of a penny… maybe even a nickle. When I approached to snap the picture, it was unflinching. I thought it may be injured or even dead until it moved; adjusting itself almost as if to give me its best side for the photograph.
210 Yardley Exit on I95 from Canal - Monday, July 28th, 2008
July 28, 2008
This is the sign that tells me I’m only a bit more than 3 miles from home when I’m running on the canal.
209 Running Buddy - Sunday, July 27th, 2008
July 27, 2008
I don’t know the name of this handsome fella. Nor do I know his breed. Looks to be at least part poodle. Perhaps one of those fancy designer breeds: Labradoodle?
Anyway, he accompanied me for at least 3 miles of my long slow run this weekend. He’d run with me keeping at least two or three paces in front or behind me and would occasionally trail off for a dive into the mucky canal water to cool off.
He charged and romped about with the exuberance of a puppy; at times challenging me to catch him… dropping to a bird-dogging stance a mere 5 feet in front of me.
I’m sure he belongs to one of the homeowners along the canal. I hope he finds his way home… in the meantime… thanks for the company!
Sea Isle City 2008
July 26, 2008
This is not a Daily Post or even anything to do with Yardley… but It’s my vacation… and it’s my site 
The picture is a shot from the deck of the house we rented with our friends Bill and Carrie. I just love the view of the sun rising on the ocean. I just can’t wait to go back next year.
208 Cicada Hatching - Saturday, July 26th, 2008
July 26, 2008
My porch has been quite the hub of entomological activity.
Open your window. You’ll inevitably here the call of one of these little creatures. Here we see a Cicada which appears to be a member of the Tibicen genus entering the final phase of its life.
Some more interesting Cicada facts:
- Only males make the mating call sound you here about this time of year.
- Females make grooves in the bark of trees to deposit eggs. The rice-shaped eggs hatch and the tiny, white, termite-looking Cicada begins to feed on the tree’s fluids. This can be detrimental to some trees.
- Once the Cicada is fully fed it drops from the tree and digs into the ground where it will stay from 2-17 (depending on the particular genus) years before re-emerging.
I’ll try to find some sound files specific to this area, possibly of the Tibicen genus and post them later.
207 Imperial Moth - Friday, July 25th, 2008
July 25, 2008
I found this little fella on my front porch (on a car mat my daughter is supposed to be cleaning 
). I glanced quickly and saw several leaves… upon glancing back again, I noticed this guy (or gal) getting some sun.
I’m thinking of contacting Abe Lincoln from Brookville Daily Photo for some help identifying it. Check out his blog btw, if you like amazing wildlife photos of birds, moths, butterflys and great stories from a guy with an equally amazing lineage.
* Update
Here’s the exact species:
Imperial Moth - http://bugguide.net/node/view/4757
