Vacation Yard — Bizarre 4-legged Insect has to be from Toronto, right?

I'm on vacation at my sister's in Toronto and I have the pleasure of spending every morning with my coffee on her patio. Today, I suddenly realized that it's not just me with an incredible yard. So, I'm posting a "Yard: a word worth 1000 pictures" from T.O.!

As far as I know, a 4-legged bug is unusual; most have 6 legs. His shape and antennae make me think he's a wood borer. I can't find it in my National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects & Spiders. Anyone care to weigh in?

Here he is up close...


Here's a photo with my finger and thumb to show scale.


Because of his 4-leg configuration, walking was a little different from most bugs so I captured it here in this short video.


He had an interesting behaviour. Whenever I got close, he'd cock his head and angle his body to look closely. I think he's got great eyesight.


Here he is from above.

Well-earned Vacation Time

Hi there. Just letting you know that I'm going on vacation so I won't be posting much to my blog. See you in 2 weeks! I hope you get some time off as well.

Yard — a word worth a 1000 pictures (#147)

Sundown brings a whole different group of critters to the yard and neighbourhood. This insect is a lot like a crane fly. He's as big as the negative space left when you bring your index finger tip and thumb tip together in a circle. I found him on the sidewalk near the house when walking the dogs. The only way to photograph him was to use the flash on the camera. It makes the shot look like it was taken in daylight.

Picture #141: Crane fly-type insect. I've only seen them at night so I assume they are a nocturnal insect. I find it interesting that the grey and rust colours on the insect are similar to the colours of the specs on the pavement.

Yard — a word worth a 1000 pictures (#146)

The left side of our yard only gets light in the evening just before the sun goes down. It's short-lived but gorgeous. If you're not out in the yard at exactly the right time, you might miss it.

Picture #141: Maple trees in evening sun.

Yard — a word worth a 1000 pictures (#141-145)

Some exciting new blooms in the yard today!

Picture #141: Tomato flowers! I had to take the photo upside-down because tomato flowers point downward. You can see the outline of the house in the background.


Picture #142: Lily.


Picture #143: Lily stamen close-up.


Picture #144: Lily petal veins close-up.


Picture #145: Dried poppy head. Here's the head of poppy well after it's bloomed. It is quite hard, almost woody. And, it's dried to the point where it's 'lid' has flipped up to reveal 'windows' — escape holes for the seeds once the Fall wind arrives. See previous poppy feature...


Picture #48 repeated: Poppy with dropped petals and seed pod fully formed. I'm including this photo here so that you can compare the non-dried head to the dried head (above).

Yard — a word worth a 1000 pictures (#139-140)

The yard is lush and beautiful thanks to all the rain we had recently. There are many blooms out and the garden is really growing. Unfortunately, we're in between flower seasons at the moment so there aren't many new blooms to show you.

Picture #139: Lily buds ready to burst.


Picture #140: Early-bird daisy. He's the only one of his kind that's out. I find their yellow centers mesmerizing. Stare at it for a while and you'll see an interesting pattern.

Yard — a word worth a 1000 pictures (#138)

Along the side of our back yard is a 'grandfathered' pathway for children on the dead-end street behind us to get to school easily. My neighbour and I recently noticed how cluttered it was with shrubs and vines that had grown up over the time that we've been here. So, saw in hand, I went to work.

Picture #136: Newly-cleared path that will allow children to get to school easily and keep leaves off my neighbour's shed roof. The pile of cuttings in the foreground is scheduled to be removed soon.

Yard — a word worth a 1000 pictures (#136-137)

Another friggin' rainy day. When will it ever end? Environment Canada thinks maybe next Tuesday might be sunny. In the meantime, there won't be much opportunity for yard work. We'll have to enjoy the yard from indoors. We're not the only one enjoying the view...

Picture #136: Our cat, Pica, is enjoying her "kitty theatre" view of the yard. She's got her eye on a...


Picture #137: Juvenile Grackle enjoying the ant-filled lawn. Thankfully there is a screen door between it an the cat.

Yard — a word worth a 1000 pictures (#135)

One of the nicest things about overcast days is how saturated colour is. And, with no direct sun and only diffuse light, you don't have to worry about over-exposure!

Picture #135: Nasturtiums. They're so bright and happy that they're all the sun I need today.

Yard — a word worth a 1000 pictures (#101-134)

I've noticed that leaves are as unique as blooms. Most people are excited about blooms but I find the texture, colour and shape of plant leaves just as appealing. I've put the title below each picture today so that you can guess at the type of leaf before you look at the title. For ones that I can't identify, feel free to chime in. Have fun!


Picture #101: Maple Tree leaves. That was a give-away to get you started. How could I not start with this leaf on Canada Day?


Picture #102: Rose leaves.


Picture #103: Nasturtium leaves.


Picture #104: Daisy leaves.


Picture #105: Sage leaves.


Picture #106: Italian Curly Parsley leaves.


Picture #107: Potato leaves.


Picture #108: Unidentified leaves 1. These are huge shade leaves growing around the base of a tree.


Picture #109: Unidentified leaves 2. The leaves of a vine plant. The flowers are purple with a yellow centre. People tell me it's poisonous. It's definitely prolific!


Picture #110: Unidentified leaves 3. Another vine plant with clusters of purple flowers.


Picture #111: Unidentified leaves 4.


Picture #112: Unidentified leaves 5.


Picture #113: Unidentified leaves 6.


Picture #114: Unidentified leaves 7.


Picture #115: Unidentified leaves 8.


Picture #116: Unidentified leaves 9. Another vine plant. This one has large purple flowers.


Picture #117: Unidentified leaves 10. I think it's an Elm Tree.


Picture #118: Unidentified leaves 11. Small, 6-inch tall plant.


Picture #119: Unidentified leaves 12. Prickly!


Picture #120: Pansy leaves.


Picture #121: Clover leaves.


Picture #122: Grass leaves.


Picture #123: Dandelion leaves with purple 'seams'.


Picture #124: Dandelion leaves with regular 'seams'.


Picture #125: Poppy leaves.


Picture #126: Strawberry leaves.


Picture #127: Pig Weed leaves. (That's what I called it when I was a kid.)


Picture #128: Rosemary leaves.


Picture #129: Pumpkin seedling leaves. Its second set of leaves will be much different.


Picture #130: Lily leaves.


Picture #131: Crab Apple leaves.


Picture #132: Dill leaves.


Picture #133: Basil leaves.


Picture #134: Coleus leaves.