Tag Archives: Close Up
Looking over the grasshopper’s shoulder
The other day I discovered a grasshopper hanging out on my clematis plant.
He was trying to get some sun, but once he caught me looking over his shoulder, he got a little anxious and started moving around.
Pine drops
Rainy days bring their own unique beauty to nature. Like these rain drops I discovered hanging from pine tree needles.
Pine cone spider
I saw one of the weirdest creatures while hiking last week. At first I thought I saw a small pine cone moving along the forest floor. A closer look revealed this spider, about a 2/3 of an inch in size.
The combination of that pine-cone-like abdomen, the eight legs sticking out, and those freaky multiple eyes… I’m surprised I haven’t had spider nightmares.
Update: I think this is probably a a female wolf spider with spiderlings on her back (see comments below). I still like the “pine cone spider” name I gave it though.
Feeding monarch
Another example of nature’s beauty at Olbrich Gardens: a monarch butterfly feeding on flower nectar.
Tree stumps
Spotted cucumber beetle
Mushrooms
When hiking, don’t forget to look down. There’s beauty and wonder on the forest floor as well.
Taken in Wisconsin’s Northern Highland American Legion State Forest.
Beetle in the sweet spot
Hiking around Olbrich Gardens the other day I came across this beetle, smack in the middle of the sweetest part of a flower.
Tulip pollen
Aaah Choo!