Checker White butterfly

Checker White butterfly
Posted by: tigerbeetle.

This little Checkered White (Pontia protodice), usually found away from urban areas, was flitting about the San Gabriel River in the North Fork. There is a wonderful ephemeral pool where I have found a nice population of California Tree frogs (post September 3) and this one butterfly was very busy. I took this picture just as it was landing. You can see it was unwinding its proboscis in anticipation of the nectar in the flower.

Mountain Sky

Mountain Sky
Posted by: tigerbeetle.

At 5:30 on Monday, September 26, the San Gabriels looked as if the ocean of air would boil into a rain storm. You could see deep shapes in the clouds as the tips of the mountains caused the air to flow like water. Below, the wind rippled the water in the reservoir.

After I collected my traps the sky was clear at 6 p.m.

Mayfly

Mayfly
Posted by: tigerbeetle.

Ephemeroptera, as adults, do not feed but must within hours of emerging, find a mate before they must die. Mayflies are strong indicators of water quality because they need high amounts of oxygen which they take from the water. Animals that breath through the water are more susceptible to heavy metals, and other anthropogenic toxins. Stoneflies, riffle beetles, water pennies, dobsonflies, and caddisflies also are pollution intolerant, and if the body of water is dominated by these animals the water quality is good.

Dragonflies, crane flies, crayfish, dragonflies, clams, crustacea, and beetle larvae can tolerate a much broader range of water quality. However, if the water body has aquatic worms, midge larvae, black fly larvae, pouch snails, leeches and mosquitoes dominating, then the water quality is poor.

This mayfly (and others) were flying above the San Gabriel River at 6 p.m. September 26 the temperature was 81 degrees F. It liked the hood of my car.

tarantual-hawk

tarantual-hawk
Originally uploaded by tardigrade.

Pompiliidae, Pepsis sp. is one of the largest wasps in the world and has one of the most powerful stings. I kept one in an aquaria for a few months. She was about 4.5 cm long and was as beautiful as these - though, this photo does not do these animals justice.

As adults, they are nectar feeders but as larvae, they consume a still live but paralyzed spider that was provided for them by their mother. They are very expressive animals in that you can tell their temperament by their body language. When excited, they walk jerkily and tap their wings. When calm but excited, they stretch out their antenna. When angry, they point their antenna towards the offending animal and curl and uncurl them. When totally calm the antenna is curled and slightly drooped.

The wasp that I took care of, at first attempted to attack me by flying at my face. In the morning, I would walk into the kitchen and she would pace back and forth with angry movements. I offered her 'cat food juice' and sugar water. I would open the lid very carefully so I could insert a syringe to squirt some sugar water into a small dish. Eventually, she did not display 'anger' when I entered the kitchen, but excitement as in the photograph. Later, she would take the syringe in her front legs and drink from the tip with her antenna curled and drooping.

These animals can never become 'tame' as we might think of some snakes or turtles, but I found my Pepis to be very smart and aware. She knew when I was coming to feed her.

It's the Holiday ... let's get stupid!!!

It's the Holiday ... let's get stupid!!!
Posted by: tigerbeetle.

It's hot. The River looks beautiful and before you know it everyone takes off clothing and sits around. Then they drink beer, throw the glass bottles around, try to light fires, and move their bowels everywhere, and then leave their trash and yuck behind. What a Holiday!

After

After
Posted by: tigerbeetle.

After all of the people left the Mountains on Monday from the long Labor Day Weekend... they left their garbage behind. The Forrest Service men and women end up being housekeepers and trash collectors. Diapers are probably the most disgusting thing - beside the toilet paper all around- I can think of that they throw about. I image these people defecating anywhere from the distribution of their trash. And, just above the river are two port-potties... nasty!

dragonfly

dragonfly
Originally uploaded by tardigrade.

Flame Skimmers (Libellula saturata) have been visiting my pond for many years. Like all dragon flies, in repose. their wings are set to the side. The males are bright red and the females are light red-brown.

I have observed very violent mating rituals in this species. The males will perch on a tall stick waiting - not for what I thought, prey...

Then from above, females spotting the males, dive, grab and essentially rape them. The males are then thrown aside in a daze. While the males buzz erratically about the pond for a moment, the females bounce above the water's surface shooting their now fertilized eggs into the pond water.

Damsel

Damsel
Originally uploaded by tardigrade.

The Vivid Dancer (Argia vivda) is in the Damselfly family, Coenagrionidae. The females are brownish but, on occasion will take on blueish tones. The 'dancers' (genus Argia) hold their wings above their abdomen whereas bluetets (a similar looking damselfly in the genus Coenagrion) hold their wings in repose by their abdomen.

Beautiful-frog

Beautiful-frog
Originally uploaded by tardigrade.

A California Tree frog (Pseudacris cadaverina) sat in an ephemeral pond in the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. The midday sun was about 93 degrees F. and has been quite hot all summer.It is not only a special moment to find this frog sunning itself on top of the angel hair moss, but it is a wonder why this pond still has water in it and it's September 3!