This little Eastern Amberwing dragonfly doesn’t seem to mind the heat, which has me cowering in my air-conditioned office.
I tend to procrastinate, so today is the kind of day I dread. I’m trapped indoors, face to face with a heap of unfinished manuscript submissions and bookkeeping chores. Of course, I could always read a book. Or take a nap. Or both…
This weed has always grown in our yard, but I never bothered to look it up because I assumed it was wild strawberry. The little red fruits seemed so distinctive. Yesterday, as I searched for a link to include with this post, I realized that the yellow flowers are all wrong. Wild strawberry should have white flowers. After reading more online and consulting my old wildflower guide, I now believe this is Indian Mock-Strawberry.
(I would love a little help with this one. Please comment with corrections or confirmation!)
I believe these are Japanese Beetles. Every year I see a handful of them, but only a handful. They hang around for a month or two, mating in the roses and stripping a few leaves off the crepe myrtle. Then they disappear.
Fortunately, they have not become a major problem in our yard. The worst part of having them around, for me, is the worry. I watch and wait, dreading the possibilities. Wondering if this will be the summer that our modest population of beetles spawns a hungry swarm…
What should I call my fascination with dragonflies? What if I never get tired of looking for them, never get tired of taking their pictures and learning their names? Years from now, stiff in the knees with cloudy eyes and foggy mind, will I continue to chase every glittering flash of wing?
What will it mean, if I do get tired of them?
This pondhawk moved into the corner iris bed today, defending its claim against all intruders. It even challenged the lawnmower, darting and swooping around the noisy engine.
The irises’ blue dashers retreated into other beds, seemingly content with the new order of things.
Rae Spencer 