Since my last wildlife post was wildly popular, I thought I would do another.
Bad news first. Evil-orange-squash-eating bugs. Does anyone know what they are called? More importantly, does anyone have a good (preferably non-poisonous) method of killing them? Here is a side view of one munching on a Jack Be Little pumpkin leaf...
The past few years were terrible for orange bugs. This year, the guy with the plot next to us planted kabocha, and they were all eaten practically to the roots, despite the fact that he sprayed them. Strangely, we had far fewer this year. I wonder if they PREFER pesticide-laced leaves? But, after they have destroyed his third planting, he has given up on squash, and they have come to us again. My method of orange bug control is not very effective, but very entertaining for my neighbors. I chase them around with one of those bug zapper rackets, shock them, and then grind them with the toe of my shoe. If anyone has a better way, I would love to hear it.
Here is another orange bug, resting on an undokobyo (powdery mildew?) infected pink.
On to better bugs...
On to better bugs...I was jealous of my husband's bee photo, so I took one of my own. This is some sort of tiny Australian flower I bought at the garden store, it comes in yellow and purple.
And, since the turtle was a big hit. I thought I would show you another. This one must have somehow come up from the river, crossed the neighbor's garden, crossed the street, realized there was no where to go from there, and turned back. I found it along the side of the house, just as I was going to take the dog for a walk. Here it is headed for our yard...
I took the dog out the other way (from the embankment) and by the time we got back, the turtle was gone. I searched the yard for it, and found it huddled behind the doghouse. I guess it looked like a safe place. Ooops. The dog got another walk (lucky) and came back to find the turtle wedged between the compost bin and the fence, trying to get out to the embankment, so I picked her up and carried her over by the river. Here is a shot of her by the side of the house from the other direction.
As for other wildlife encounters.... I went to hang the towels over the rail, and was surprised to see...
And from the other side...
And, since the turtle was a big hit. I thought I would show you another. This one must have somehow come up from the river, crossed the neighbor's garden, crossed the street, realized there was no where to go from there, and turned back. I found it along the side of the house, just as I was going to take the dog for a walk. Here it is headed for our yard...
I took the dog out the other way (from the embankment) and by the time we got back, the turtle was gone. I searched the yard for it, and found it huddled behind the doghouse. I guess it looked like a safe place. Ooops. The dog got another walk (lucky) and came back to find the turtle wedged between the compost bin and the fence, trying to get out to the embankment, so I picked her up and carried her over by the river. Here is a shot of her by the side of the house from the other direction.
As for other wildlife encounters.... I went to hang the towels over the rail, and was surprised to see...
And from the other side...
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