The Nature Photography Thread

[CelestiHel]

Wow! That's awesome, good save!

[CelestiHel]

It's my favorite time of year: Woolly Bear Season (or, Woolly Worm Season for American Southerners)!

WoollyBear.jpg

I kid you not, there were a dozen in my driveway last week, I was 20 minutes late to work for all the moving of caterpillars I had to do to back out without smooshing any. They are absolutely my favorite, and a sure sign that fall AND spring have arrived in my part of the world.

It is said that Woolly Bears predict the winter weather and judging by this one, I think we can hope for an average winter here despite real weather predictions that this one will be long and bitter cold. The Old Farmers Almanac has some good history: Woolly Bear Caterpillars Winter Weather Predictors

[ConcinusMan]

Just a folk legend. I think it's kinda funny how the caterpillar is revered but turns into a rather unremarkable moth while people usually just squish this one on sight:



It turns into this:

[kueluck]

This past weekend was spent camping at Fairy Stone S.P. in VA. No reptiles or amphibians spotted, but we did come across this local resident. (Eastern Screech Owl) The photo was taken at arms length, I so wanted to touch him.
screech owl close-up.jpg

And also the "dogwood" TJ spotted.
Dogwood.jpg

[CelestiHel]

Well, sure, but folk legends are fun ;P I have always wanted to see one of those swallow tail caterpillars, lucky you.

[Mommy2many]

I have a black tail swallowtail in coccoon right now. They like parsley plants and are sometimes referred to as parsley worms.

[ConcinusMan]

I had a tiger swallowtail pupa I posted in this thread. Thought I was so lucky to find one, brought it inside, kept it warm, and a few weeks later I was the proud owner of about a dozen wasp larvae.

Western tiger swallowtail larvae live high in the forest canopy favoring sycamore and maple trees. They are rarely seen until fall when they sometimes drop to the ground where they usually get eaten by birds.

[ConcinusMan]

I figured it's been too long since I submitted some of my own photos. Here's some I shot this week. I posted more on a "macro phototgraphy" facebook group I created. Come check it out. More members and photo submissions would be great. https://www.facebook.com/groups/5778.../?notif_t=like

[mikem]

Shawn (BLUESIRTALIS) flipped this beautiful black rat snake over the weekend while we were herping.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I have to hand it to you mike that pic looks like something out of Bill Loves photo album and to think it was done on a cellphone! Awesome pic man!

Shawn (BLUESIRTALIS) flipped this beautiful black rat snake over the weekend while we were herping.