No one wants to be stung by a bee or wasp. Bee and wasp stings are painful and there is the added concern of allergic reactions. Bees and wasps usually have a combination of yellow, black and red colours. In the insect world, yellow, black and red colours spell danger for would be predators. We … Continue reading If it looks like a bee, flies like a bee, buzzes like a bee, then it must be a bee?
The Conchuela Stink Bugs are in Town
Conchuela stink bugs show up occasionally in large numbers in the Okanagan valley and can cause damage to vegetables, fruits, berries, grapes, and ornamentals. I have seen lots in a vineyard and vegetable gardens in the past. They like Oregon grape and firethorn berries. We are seeing a few nuisance bugs in the heat this … Continue reading The Conchuela Stink Bugs are in Town
Mommas, Papas, and Little Ones
The birds have been very busy; building nests, nesting and taking care of their babies. Bugs serve as a good food source for birds. I had a lot of fun watching Brewer’s black birds hunting for bugs for their babies at Munson pond park in Kelowna. These birds do not swim, and they kept walking … Continue reading Mommas, Papas, and Little Ones
Bloom Time
Spring is my favourite season in the Okanagan. The orchards are in bloom - cherries, apricots, peaches apples, it is just gorgeous. Other plants and trees are flowering as well; forsythias, lilacs, maples, willows, Oregon grapes, Saskatoons, chokecherries, and the hillsides are covered with arrowleaf balsamroot (Okanagan sunflowers). Being a bug person, I am always … Continue reading Bloom Time
Enjoying the Sunshine
It has been a very sunny week and a lot of people are out enjoying the sun. We are, however, not the only ones enjoying the pleasant weather. Our feathered friends and other small creatures are also having their fill. I went for a walk along Munson Pond Park and was surprised at the diversity … Continue reading Enjoying the Sunshine
Feathered Friends II
It has been a while since my last post. Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. I went for a walk along Mission Creek Greenway with a girlfriend last weekend. It was a beautiful sunny day, not a lot of "greens" and bug activity but we saw some sagebrush buttercups, a few bumble bees, … Continue reading Feathered Friends II
Bugs Go A-Courtin’
We have a lot of bugs around us and one is bound to come across some mating pairs. We saw a few mating pairs of bugs last summer and since it is Valentine’s day, I deem it appropriate to share the pictures and have a chat about some of the courtship behaviours in bugs. Date … Continue reading Bugs Go A-Courtin’
Feathered Friends
I saw a few birds while bugging around and on hikes with my girlfriends this summer. We found birds feasting on bugs and others hunting for bugs. I do not know my birds and would like to thank my birder girlfriend for the education. We went hiking at the Myra Canyon Trestles in Kelowna last … Continue reading Feathered Friends
The Sprinters
I went hiking with my dear girlfriend along the Mission Creek Greenway in East Kelowna on Saturday and I was pleasantly surprised when we came across some tiger beetles. I have not seen those in years and they brought back good memories of my student days - a bunch of students chasing tiger beetles along … Continue reading The Sprinters
Giant in the Pond
I went hiking with some girlfriends at Kentucky Lake, in Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park two weeks ago. It was a beautiful day and the lake was a sight to behold - amazing turquoise colour. That was my first time at the Kentucky Lake and it was worth it. I was lamenting the fact that it was … Continue reading Giant in the Pond
