A Cold Spring

It has been a bit cold this spring and it is taking a while for the bugs to warm up. I have been on a few hikes but there has not been much bug activity. Lots of wildflowers though - Okanagan sunflowers, shooting star, woodland star, larkspur etc. The bees have been active on sunny … Continue reading A Cold Spring

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

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’

Praying Mantids

I saw an insect flying clumsily in an alfalfa field a few weeks ago and those who know me will probably guess what I did next – well I followed it until it landed and to my surprise it was a praying mantid. Not the most graceful flier :). The praying mantid gets its name … Continue reading Praying Mantids

Air Show

I saw an awesome display by some dragonflies during my lunch walk yesterday. Dragonflies have beautiful colours, delicate wings and very big eyes. In some species the eyes meet at the top of the head and they can turn their head 360 degrees. You have to be quite stealthy approaching them - took me a … Continue reading Air Show