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:

The Praying Mantis

Dragonflies and Damselflies

 It's hot, hot, hot and the perfect time for Dragonflies and Damselflies and they do love to pose.

The Rookery

Yesterday I had the total pleasure of going to a little bird rookery in Ocean City, New Jersey with two fellow photographers.  I'd never been to a rookery before.  We got to Ocean City, about 8:00 in the morning, parked by the visitor's center, looked over the railing and there they were.  Black Capped Night Herons, snowy egrets, try colored herons and babies galore.  Here are a few shots from thousands I took:

Mom and Me

Black Capped Night Heron Chick

My What a Big Mouth you Have

Very Hungry Chick

Lip Contact

Please Mom!!