Tidbits From My Day

My camera and I are not getting along. For some reason it is refusing to focus as well as I would like. Perhaps it is feeling neglected of late or is experiencing a mid-life crisis. Whatever is going on with it, the bottom line is that it just isn't giving me the results I am after. That being said, here are a few images of some of the critters that shared my space today...

Lead phase red-backed salamander

young pine woods treefrog

swallowtail chrysalis - not sure which swallowtail...probably tiger

and lastly, a camel cricket -- again, I have no idea which species, heck I don't even know which genus. We'll just call it a "hoppy bug" and leave it at that.

I hope your Wednesday was wonderful. Mine was pretty darn pleasant.

Under Composting Corrugated Cardboard

When we are out and about in the yard we can't resist the urge to look under things. One never knows what lurks beneath objects lying flat on the ground. Looking under a sheet of corrugated cardboard peacefully composting in the side yard proved to be quite productive. Below are just a few of the things making themselves at home in this dark, moist habitat.

An interesting looking species of ant...what big heads some of the individuals had! Guards, perhaps? E. O. Wilson would know ;)

A nice, BIG wolf spider. Probably a Carolina wolf.

Three Eastern narrow-mouthed toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis) were hanging out under here. This one was the most handsome one. Narrow-mouthed toads are such interesting little amphibians -- hard to get hold of though.

All the creatures were probably relieved when we put the cardboard back down.
It is only right to replace after you flip...after all, it's home to something.