Birds

Our very own duck crossing!

This sharp skinned hawk just turned his head around to see who was taking his picture.

Sharp Shinned Hawk drinking from the pond.




Hummingbird














Hummingbird
looking mad

Black Phoebe

Arachnids
 This is a beautiful Bold Jumping Spider

Brown widow egg sac, looks like lint. =)

Brown widow protecting her eggs

The brown widow spider is closely related to a black widow spider. Some say its venom is more fierce but due to its nature to back away instead of defending its territory it won't release as much venom. The bite area is more painful but less harmful than that of a black widow. The brown widow has only recently made its home in Orange County. These are the cities it has been discovered in: Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, Orange Tustin, Yorba Linda and now in my very own backyard!

Garden Orb Weaver














Garden Orb Weaver
underside

Beetles and True Bugs
















I think this little green guy is from the stink bug family.






Green June Beetle

June Beetle













Ladybird










Ladybird Larva














Harlequin Stink Bug

Harlequin Stink Bug
underside

Preying Mantis, Katydids and Hoppers




Grasshopper nymph













Pool...anyone?















Preying Mantis










Mantis eggcase
Oothica














Brown Preying Mantis












Preying Mantis

On a mint leaf

Katydid nymph












Leaf Katydid











Adult Katydid









American Bird Grasshopper

Dragonflies and Damselflies

This neon skimmer said Cheese for the camera.

Dragonfly Nymph











Nymphal Skin













Green Darner Dragonfly
newly emerged female













Red Skimmer Hawking













Red Skimmer
backview

Damselfly

Butterflies, Caterpillars and Moths

Tomato Hornworm Moth or Hawk Moth

Painted Ladies mating

























They're back! A young Monarch larva eating my milkweed plant. 10/07/07


Mourning Cloak Caterpillar















Mourning Cloak Chrysalis






















Mourning Cloak
wings in normal
rest position.









Mourning Cloak
open winged.



















Gulf Fritillary
soaking up the
sun.















Gulf Fritillary close winged.











Skipper


















Red Admiral Caterpillar

Red Admiral Chrysalis

Red Admiral

Monarch Caterpillar

Monarch Chrysalis

Monarch Butterfly

Monarch

Yellow Striped Army Moth

Giant Swallowtail

Cassius Blue

SAMe is taking a snooze with his friend Wrinkles, our rescued Monarch.