Monthly photo: I'm Ready for My Close Up

This months Monthly photo landed on our sliding glass window. Carol from amazing nature tells me this is a Western Conifer Seed Bug. You can my photo on her website  here.

"Well, it looks like you have the Western Conifer Seed Bug. It's in the family of Leaf-footed Bugs. You've probably noticed that the rear legs have a spot on them shaped like a leaf. They feed off trees and pines cones, etc." 

The Western Conifer Seed Bug flies like a wasp, they lay eggs in rows on pine needles, have 6 stages of life (performing all six within the warm months of summer), they produce a funny smell if alarmed (smells like pine- similar to stink bugs), and the adults (shown below) overwinter by finding a warm spot to rest -this means he will try to winter in your house. There is a funny poem about a Western Conifer Seed Bug  here.

 Tanner posed with this bug from the inside of our sliding glass doors.
(Yes. This is yet, another iphone picture. I can not help myself, its so convenient.)  

Western Conifer Seed Bug's are not dangerous but they do look very similar to a Western Leaf-footed Bug (squash bug) that are known predators of squash plants. So I made a list of how to tell them apart.

To tell a Western Conifer Seed Bug from a Western Leaf-footed Bug:

• The Western Conifer Seed Bug has a thin zigzag line across his back
• The leaf shape on the back legs is symmetric (the Western Leaf-footed bug is Asymmetric)
• and lastly the Western Conifer Seed Bugs are from Europe so they will have importation documents

Monthly Photo: Patriotism

I had a REALLY hard time with this months challenge. I looked for patriotism in everything from the marketing of Dominoes and Pepsi to the overtly symbolic patriotism in things like flags and eagles. I even thought about going to a parade. Scary. I know. 

I did not want to give up because this is month two of starting this challenge and nothing is less patriotic than giving up. Then I remembered that I made pie! And in case you have not seen American Pie, the movie, they informed us that pie is as American as you can get. And don't start telling me that it is the Apple pie that is the American Pie because nothing is more American than the acceptance of all types of pie. 

Plus, Bourbon pecan pie is pretty down right American since it was created in New Orleans after the Native Americans told them about nuts.(God, I LOVE NUTS and now Native Americans) 

Besides, look how patriotic it is next to the American Flag and the Bald Eagle.

BTW: I made this pie myself! With LARD! Check out that crispy layered crust. 

I made this pie because, this year in addition to the fireworks, beer and BBQ's we celebrated Pioneer day with Pie-n-Beer because Pioneers are freaking awesome! 

Golly, I amaze myself with this act of patriotism. 

Monthly Photo Challenge: Where the wild things are

"Let the wild rumpus begin!"

This Red Squirrel was very upset.

She would climb up onto a chair, jump to the tree, and then carefully crawl down to the tube feeder. Her fate however, was not filled with joyous, nutty, delights because before she could reach them, she would fall off. 

Our cute little squirrel would then scream"chit chit chit" and angrily snap her tail before trying the same serious of moves. I could relate. 

(Monthly photo challenge link)