Ichneumon Wasp (Female)

According to my "Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America," this beautiful wasp, found today on a tree at Eastern College Pond locates other wasp's larvae deep in the tree trunk, using her antennae to detect the scent of a fungus associated with the larvae.   Then she penetrates the trunk with that three inch ovipositor at the bottom of her abdomen.  She secretes a chemical that breaks down the wood, and then lays her eggs on the larvae. The new larvae then feed on and kill the original larvae.  All of this was happening today at Eastern College Pond.

Dawn in Gloucester

Jon and Piper Praising the Morning Light (Actually Jon was trying to get Piper  to put the sun on her finger for the photo.)

Dawn and the Fishing Boat

The Surfer

Good Harbor Beach

 

We are in Gloucester!!

Piper and Jack

Nicest Boy on Earth

Jon and Jack

Seagull asking for some Goldfish

Tom and Kitty do Tie Die and then attend outdoor Concert

Little Blue Heron

Little Blue

Little Blue

Seagull in the Surf

 

Little Swallows

Morning on Bass Rocks

Little White Moth Laying Her Eggs Today in Charlestown Meadows

She was under a leaf and I could not coax her out.  After I looked at the photographs I realized she was laying her eggs!  (Click on the photograph to really see those eggs.)

 

Wary Momma and the Three Fawns

I was walking in the woods in Valley Forge today when two momma deer and three fawn ran right towards me.  They didn't realize I was there until they practically knocked me over.  I stood still for at least 15 minutes and they sort of got used to me.  So much fun!

 

The Ambush Bug

 I was walking in the field off of Ship Road and saw a butterfly on a thistle blossom.  I started taking his photograph and realized he was not flying away.  I got closer and realized he had been ambushed by the Ambush Bug.  He's a tiny bug with giant forearms and pinchers that can capture prey many times its size.  Here he is side view, front view and during the ambush. Click to enlarge and really see that bug!!

Today in Valley Forge

Oh it is that time of year in Valley Forge.  The turtles are lurking in the woods.  The Indigo and the Goldfinch are everywhere, the hummingbirds and the honeybees are buzzing the wildflowers.  It is so marvelous to just walk in the fields and see all these beautiful creatures.  I am so, so, so happy.

 

Yumiko Graduated!!! She is a Certified Physician Assistant!!!

 She did it!  She worked so hard for so long from the day she entered medical school.  Yumiko has poured her heart into her studies.  And on Friday, July 29 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, that young woman walked up on stage and received her Masters Degree.  Cannot tell you how proud we all are.  Here are a  few photos from the graduation: