helter swelter

It's July at last!  I know that we've really only had about 3 weeks of summer weather, but that's been plenty for me.  Taking a puppy outside in the heat every 30 minutes (plus romp sessions) has pretty much done me in.  I'm already counting the days 'til fall.  I'm trying to appreciate 'summer' things, though. 

Like interesting insects.

ringed assassin bug

carpenter bees

spiny oakworm moth with two serious inspectors!

Japanese beetles

milkweed beetle

paper wasp

...and others, too!  It was so humid when I went outside to confront this flower-munching deer that my camera lens instantly fogged, so I didn't get a great picture, but...he's definitely licking his lips!

Deer have been getting into the hostas by the house too, so I'm definitely paying attention in case they need to be chased off.

I caught this guy ambling by as well!

eastern box turtle

The annual garden is putting on blooms, although it's definitely subdued this year.

I'm glad to have ANY flowers after our cold, wet spring!  The perennial garden is still blazing.

Nice to have a little color.  It's not autumn leaves, but it'll do!

Meanwhile, Pepita is keeping us busy.

We've had her for going on three weeks now and she's definitely more confident...and stubborn, which is a hallmark of her breed!

learning to leash-walk with Daddy

She is still sweet and cuddly, but has a lot more puppy energy.  Thankfully she doesn't bite like a lot of puppies, and not much barking either.  Just a few potty accidents...

who, me?

...and a lot of outside romps!

She does not love being outside, which is kind of surprising.  We end up having to carry her out to the field to try to get her to run.

Todd carrying Pepita to the back field

When I check the trail cams, it's a lot of Todd letting Pepita go and Pepita running for the house!  :)

But at least she's getting exercise...and we are too!  Just wish it was a little cooler...at least August is only three weeks away.

Have a great week! 

salamander meander

 Okay, it's hot, and we're still in a drought.  But the bugs are out!  Japanese beetles are a pain, but they're so beautiful.

More makin' babies...

milkweed beetles

...or just hanging around.

green leaf hopper

Io moth

green-striped grasshopper

pipevine swallowtail

striped assassin bug

This water strider pile is a massive feeding frenzy!  Somewhere beneath is an insect or some other tidbit.

A happy accident - discovering this braconid wasp cocoon!  They are the parasitic wasps that sting and infect tomato hornworm caterpillars.  

Remember this guy?

(spider averse, look away!)

I was so excited to see this tiny silver stretch spider on my yarrow.  Check out those long legs!

It's not just insects.  We see "the chog" (the chunky hog, our groundhog) every single day.  And rabbits...so many rabbits.

A turkey pair visits pretty frequently...

A Carolina wren nesting on our porch frequently reminds us of her important work!

We also had some salamander sightings this week...

two-lined northern salamander

...and juuuuust missed a Dekay's brown snake in the grass.

On a hike, a friend's dog investigated an eastern box turtle.

Little sweat bees are busy with pollen...

...while, inside, the kittens are busy catching zzzzzzzs.

Busy week with so much activity!  Who knows what I'll see in the next few days?

Have a great week!