YAMWB
Yet another milkweed bug.
Ladybug, Ladybug...
Ladybug, ladybug fly away home,
Your house is on fire and your children are gone.
Bummer!
Along Came A Spider
I found this guy hanging out on the back side of a sign in Tom Sawyer park. I believe it is an orchard spider, one of the many long jawed orb weavers. I like the fact that his legs almost appear to be made of glass.
Posing A Cicada
Yeah, OK... So I didn't actually get this cicada to pose, but at least it came down to a branch low enough for me to get a photo. It's been my experience that they do not stick around once they sense you've seen them.
Cicada Exoskeleton
A cicada nymph left his exoskeleton, or exuvia, behind on this leaf for me to find. Looks like he did his fair share of excavation while he was underground.
Mantidfly
Found this guy lurking on top of my clothes dryer. I thought it was a baby Praying Mantis but, after studying this photo of it, I discovered it's actually a Mantidfly, Leptomantispa Pulchella. Unfortunately, it died two days later. Too bad because I understand they dine on other bugs.
SKYNET Listener Drone
SKYNET is up again. They are sending down "Listener Drones" to monitor the populace. They do this every year during the summer months.
Below you see a Listener Drone and network node bot. Note the static wicks on the landing pods to dissipate static for a cleaner signal. Note too the large tail boom that does double-duty as a gigahertz antenna. The orbs that look like eyes are actually sensitive microphones and the only weaponry onboard is the gaping metal maw near the microphone-orbs. The wings are of a kevlar-like material with a pattern of ribs that contributes to their extremely high tensile strength. The wings connect to the fuselage, ahead of the tail boom, with advanced high-pressure hydraulic actuators. You do not want to be targeted by one of these rascals. Just sayin'...
Welcome To Jurassic Park
In Jurassic Park, the local wildlife always has its eye on you. In this case, it is the butterfly population that needs to be cautious. The mantids lie in wait in the tops of ironweed plants for unsuspecting butterflies.
An almost futuristic appearance...
...especially in the head area!
Kenneth Gantz
Marking my territory on the interwebs! A little photography, a little technology and whatever else comes along...
