Recent Posts
Camouflage Master
It is hard to say when I am out with my camera just how many subjects I miss from them being hidden so well. So many species have adapted remarkable abilities to vanish into the background to avoid becoming lunch for something. This moth was a complete fluke to find and had I not stopped and searched the area I never would have noticed it blended into this cedar fence post.
Black Ant Attempting to Kill Baby Spiders
A common black ant was aggressively attacking a small bundle of baby garden spiders.
This occurred on my deck; the spider’s web seemed to act as an effective shield to the would-be attacker. Several baby spiders did appear dead; although I did not see the ant actively kill them. The ant would return many times trying to pull the web apart with its mandibles.
Black ants are omnivorous and will eat spiders and small insects, although with the level of determination this one had, I was wondering if there was some active instinct to kill a future predator, such as lions and hyenas attacking each other’s young. Either way I thought it was an interesting encounter being I generally notice black ants to be extremely passive and non aggressive.
Spider Crabs Seem Fascinated With My GoPro Camera – And Other Critters At Low Tide
Low tide at Miracle Beach on Vancouver Island British Columbia gives the chance to see a lot of cool critters that call the local ocean their home. Small spider crabs sometimes known as kelp crabs seemed particularity fascinated with my camera. Several of them attempted to reach my camera and upon doing so would extend a leg out to touch the lens. I am not sure what brought about this strange behavior but it was definitely interesting.
Baby Garden Spider Nest Up Close
Ever see those little spider nests in the garden early in the summer? I found one on a deck chair and decided to do some close up shots of the little spiders to see what their world is like.
Saving an Exhausted Bumblebee – Macro of a Bee Feeding
I found this bumble bee exhausted and having a hard time moving, however after offering her some sugar water the bee happily lapped it up and began looking more energetic. It then decided to climb aboard my phone which was sitting a few feet away and rest for a while longer. Finally, after what appears to be a good bee poop on my phone to thank me it flew away apparently rejuvenated.
Something to note that I found in my research for helping exhausted bees such as this one is that it is important to use a mix of sugar and water and NOT honey like you would find in your kitchen. That honey is imported and apparently not healthy for them to consume.
Dun Skipper Feeding
Captured this little Dun Skipper feeding. These little guys are all over the garden late summer. I find them hard to get a good shot of as they always seem to take off at the moment of taking a picture.
Colourful Fly
Not sure what this fly is, I have yet to identify it. If anyone knows feel free to comment below. It was very small, the spot it is resting on is the edge of a holly leaf.
Crab Spider
These little guys are hard to spot. They camouflage in with the flowers they stalk in. Ambush predators, they get their name from their oversize front legs. I managed to get a few shots of this subject on a while daisy before he went back under the petal to wait for an unsuspecting insect.
Woodlouse Spider
I discovered this little guy under some pots in my garden. This photo is several years old and I cannot remember what equipment I used to take the photo, but I did manage this picture of it emerging from what seems to be some kind of cocoon. What was immediately apparent on this spider was its bright colours and large over sized fangs. Upon doing some research I believe this is a Woodlouse Spider. It lives a life hidden under shelter and uses it’s large fangs to feed on woodlouse. It is a harmless spider although it can bite if handled which is apparently less painful than a bee sting and its venom is not dangerous. I put the planter back for it and carefully guided it back into its home after I was done with the picture.
Red Back Jumping Spider Vs Caterpillar
This struggle was over by the time I happened on it. I had never seen a redback Jumping spider attack a caterpillar before. The caterpillar was substantially bigger than the spider, and must have been a bit of a struggle. I was careful not to interrupt the spider while feeding since it was on a ledge and I did not want it to lose it’s hard won meal.
Sometimes I am thankful these things are small
