Sunday, July 29, 2012

SKINK

This beautiful skink (scientific name scincidae) appeared on my window ledge yesterday, and remained still on two occasions long enough to let me admire him and take photographs. 

                           


Monday, July 16, 2012

MY LITTLE WORLD OF ENTYMOLOGY

This fascinating creature first built the beginnings of a web that reached across my outdoor staircase, forcing me to duck in order to preserve the single strand on which it travelled high-wire style. It then moved up to my second floor terrace, building a fully-formed web, complete with expired prey. It is popularly known as the "smiley face crab spider" on account of its black markings and crab-like legs. Its scientific name is Gasteracantha cancriformis.  The spider then took up residence on a web strung between a tree and the building beside it. In this photo, you can see the remains of its prey.  This photo was taken the day after a heavy rain.  The spider rebuilt its web, and its webs are always a wonder to see.



A couple of days ago I discovered this creature resting among some stones I had placed on an unused camp chair outside my apartment.  Note the impressive antennae.  Its color was also striking; it is obviously very well camouflaged in its proper environment (which a green camp chair is not).  Some friends and I attempted to identify it, and we think it's a type of borer beetle.


Today, I found this Junebug on the mat outside my apartment.  Its wings were a gorgeous shade of green.