Weekly Photo Challenge: Abstract

Here’s my Abstract submission to the Weekly Photo Challenge.  I’m calling it Bananascape.

Canada Violet

Canada Violet

This Canada Violet was growing along a hiking trail in Shenandoah National Park when I was there last May.

Daisy Fleabane

Daisy Fleabane

This daisy fleabane was blooming along a hiking trail in Shenandoah National Park at the end of May.

Knowing “bane” loosely means something that is hated by or makes something’s existence more difficult, I thought fleabane was an interesting name for a wildflower so I looked it up.  Folklore has it these plants can be dried and used to keep fleas away.  That explains the name.

Goldenrod Crab Spider on Stem

 

Sometimes when I’m hiking I like to stop, at seemingly random places, and look closely at my surroundings.  I might spend 5 or 10 minutes just trying to discover the little things that most people walk right by completely unaware.  If you’ve never done this before I highly recommend it.  Almost anywhere you go you will be amazed at some of the small wonders that present themselves if you just slow down and take a little time to become acquainted with your surroundings.

This Goldenrod Crab Spider was one such secret, hiding right in front of my eyes.  I stepped off the hiking trail into a small meadow just to see what might be there.  I looked around a bit and was about to move along when I noticed this spider sitting motionless, the embodiment of patience and stillness.  Goldenrod Crab Spiders will sit for long periods of time, waiting for an unsuspecting insect to come within reach.  You can frequently find them inside blooms using the flower as natural bait.

Paper Wasp on Lance-Leaved Goldenrod

I had a little trouble identifying this species of wasp but I believe it is a paper wasp.  In my experience they are not aggressive unless you disturb their nests.  In this case I was photographing wildflowers when the wasp approached to gather nectar.  I sat still, watched and photographed it and the wasp didn’t even seem to notice me.

Rough Stink Bug on Ficus

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I believe our subject is Brochymena arborea, also known as the Rough Stink Bug.  After photographing it I did a little research and was surprised to learn there are several beneficial species of stink bugs, the Rough Stink Bug being one of them.  While many stink bugs feed on plants and cause crop damage there are also species, such as this one, that prey on caterpillars and other crop damaging insects.

Virginia Integrated Pest Management published the Field Guide to Stink Bugs which explains how to identify stink bugs in the Mid-Atlantic region and identifies the beneficial ones.

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Spider Breakfast

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Walking through the woods one morning I found this spider having breakfast.

I don’t know much about spider identification but I believe this may be an American House Spider (Parasteatoda Tepidariorum), also known as the Cobweb Spider.

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Little Black Spider

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I nearly stepped on this small black and red spider before I noticed it hanging out on a lichen covered rock.

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Buttercup

A simple buttercup grew in a patch of grass along the trail I was hiking.  After stopping to take photos of something more compelling, I noticed this flower and thought it deserved a little attention.

Weekly Photo Challenge: From Above

The late afternoon sun coming through my kitchen window provided an opportunity for a different perspective on a popular, refreshing soft drink.  You might even say this brand is a piece of Americana.  The marketing behind this beverage is so incredible, you’re sure to recognize it despite the fact the label is obscured and the bottle cap is completely out of focus.