For the birds

Back in the summer, I clipped a "Heloise" column on how to clean a bird bath. Then I promptly forgot about it. The truth is, I stacked more paperwork on top of the clipping, and it got buried. So I was going through my stack just now and found the column.

Here's her advice (July 3, 2010, San Antonio Express-News):

"Add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid and scrub the bath with a stiff brush. Rinse thoroughly. If there is a buildup of algae, add chlorine bleach (in a ratio of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach) to the water and let soak for about 20 minutes. (Any longer will not do any better.) To ensure that no birds drop by for a swim, cover the bath during the bleaching process. After soaking, scrub the bath again with the stiff brush, carefully dump out the water and let the bath air-dry. Then fill with cold, fresh water."

Thanks, Heloise!!

"Walking on the Wild Side"

Hey, an article I wrote for the San Antonio Express-News made yesterday's Houston Chronicle as well. The Hearst Newspapers corporation owns both publications, and they apparently share the same front pages of some sections, like gardening (if that makes any sense). At any rate, here's the story: "Critter-watching fun begins with providing a good habitat." Enjoy!

UPDATE–I've since received some nice comments on the Chronicle website. Cool!

Fungus gnats

I shot this photo Oct. 21 on our copper canyon daisy and posted it on Bugguide.net, hoping someone could tell me about the spit-looking liquid. Turns out I piqued more interest in the insects, which were IDed as dark-winged fungus gnats: "Looks like mainly male sciarids (Diptera: Sciaridae) to me. I have never heard nor read about this behavior. Probably a female got stuck and the males were attracted by her pheromones (but this is pure speculation). Did you collect the 'gnat spittle'?" –Bjoern Rulik

Bad me–I didn't do a good job at following up on his request. Sorry, Bjoern!

More butterflies...

Queens

You'd think it'd be way past butterfly season, but they're still active. Our fragrant mistflower in the back yard is attracting several species, and the copper canyon daisy bush in the front yard is as well.

Pipevine swallowtail

Southern dogface

American lady

What a bug

Spot-sided coreid
Hypselonotus punctiventris
The kind folks at Bugguide.net helped me identify this very interesting-looking bug.

Mama's gone....

Yesterday, I noticed that the mama argiope on the front porch is gone. Yes, her egg sac is fine. Then this afternoon, I looked down and found her remains on the cement.....only legs. She likely died of old age and then something ate her body. That's nature.

Late monarch

I'm late in posting this photo. I actually spotted three monarchs come through Monday late afternoon and visit our fragrant mistflower. Man, THEY'RE the late ones!

Common checkered-skipper
Pyrgus communis