Yikes, what bit me?

Last week, while working on a puzzle at our dining room table, I felt a sharp prick on my right knee. Instantly, I reached down to scratch. When I looked at my fingers, I discovered a brownish stain on the tips. A brownish line of stain also marked my knee. In my fingers was the mangled remains, miniscule and dark colored, of an insect. Hmmm. Later, I concluded that a lacewing larva was the culprit. Maybe in the genus Chrysoperla. Less than 48 hours later, the bite site began to itch. Check out the photos!

 

On Bugguide.net, here's an interesting discussion on the topic: "How many of you have ever been bitten by a lacewing larva?" Naturally, I added my two cents.

A large lacewing larva from my files

 

Me and Dup

So I have acquired an uncommon malady called Dupuytren's disease in my left hand. I wouldn't post about it here, except that it has and will affect my ability to work in our native plant gardens. To learn more about Dup, my new partner in life, check out my blog, "Me and Dup." 

Suffice it to say that if the disease continues to progress (and it likely will), my hand will eventually contract. But I'm praying not! And Dup nodules are starting to show up in my right hand as well.  Yes, I am seeking treatment (which includes low radiation therapy); however, no there is no cure. So I am learning to adjust. First of all, I found what I hope will be optimum and well-padded gloves so I can still prune and ride my bicycle (don't give up on me, Waylon). For thicker stems and branches, I'm trying to use fingers on both  hands. James will have to trim thick branches, like turk's cap. Please say some prayers for my hands. I sure don't take them for granted any more!

January 21 snow!

Photos by James Hearn

 

Western polyphemus caterpillar

My daughter Lindsey has a sweet heart and fostered this chubby caterpillar in her San Antonio home during the recent freezing temperatures. We decided that it's a western polyphemus caterpillar (Antheraea culea). What I found fascinating is that this species hosts on oak leaves. Those are tough leaves! Below you'll see the videos she captured of the caterpillar gnawing on some. 

 

Her find also solves a mystery for me. In the past, I've found large frass (poop) scattered across our back patio under our live oak limbs. The pieces look like this one. I knew they had to come from caterpillars WAY up high on the leaves, but I have never come across one to confirm what kind. So my frassy friends may be this species?  Maybe someday one will visit me like Lindsey's friend did.

An owl tidbit...

I am currently reading this book and ran across this tidbit about our neighborhood eastern screech owl. Interesting!

Spring comes to December

Here we are at December 10, and take a look at our gardens! Amazing. As always, O Wise Cenizo (above) bloomed a day before we got rains last week. The

Big Bend acanthus

Shrimp plant

Salvias and lantanas

Plateau golden-eye

Velvetleaf mallow

Red salvia

White salvia

Fleabane

Red galeana sage

Mountain sage

Oxalis

White lantana

I'm a Skywarn spotter

So I'm a Skywarn weather spotter now! I took the online training earlier this week, and it was so interesting. Skywarn weather spotters are a "group of trained volunteers that watch the skies during severe eather and relay reports back to the National Weather Service." 

 

If you're interested in taking the virtual training, check this page for upcoming sessions.