The hawks in our backyard have been quite noisy. It took awhile, but I finally found their nest in the tallest tree on the lot! Rather exciting to think that there is a possibility of baby hawks. Especially once we have the coop and runs secure from hawks.
We have had a nice warm up, and our first moth in the house in months. I used the iNaturalist app to identify it. I do like this app, and as more people add observations, the better it gets. The first hit on this image was a moth observed mostly in Europe, which was not quite right. But down the list I found an image that matched with a corresponding observed area.
The Brown-shaded Gray Moth’s scientific name is Anacamptodes defectaria. My sister, a PhD in ancient history, tells me that “Anacampo” in Greek means “return”, and “Defectus” in Latin means “falling away”. According to Wikipedia, it does take wing February to November, and the larva feed on oak, poplar, sweet cherry and willow (we have many oak trees). It is also very difficult to find these moths when they are perched on tree bark.
Now I have to admit, I am guessing the species of this moth. I certainly didn’t closely examine the genitalia of the moth as suggested by this article from 1966 as the most definitive way to classify Anacamptodes. (Thank you again to my sister for unearthing the article.)
How do I personally feel about moths? I love the lacy pattern on the wings. Quite lovely.
One of these things is not like the others. Can you spot the anomaly? Yes, I took a picture of my pantry. I cleaned and organized it recently, and although it is not magazine worthy, it is functional. It is the lurker that was picture worthy. Here, let me help you…
Does that help? Silly cat found the stash of paper I’m saving for the chicks. We don’t get the newspaper, so I have been saving bags and packaging paper. Now it all smells like cat. But I’ve read that chickens don’t have a great sense of smell. Probably for the best.
She would get away with it too, but the paper crinkles fiercely when she settles down, so she gets caught and shooed out.
The American Kestrel is the smallest member of the falcon family, and the most adorable tiny killing machine. On a recent walk, I spotted this one flying up to the top of the light post with a prize. Luckily I had my good camera with me (because two days prior I didn’t, and saw the older buck. Sigh.)
And since he was glaring at me, it seemed appropriate to make him into a meme. It is a stretch, I know, but I couldn’t come up with a decent pun using “Kestrel”.
My eldest gets the credit for the words for this meme. I took the picture on a walk in town (once again the elder buck was elusive). One squirrel was the only photographic harvest on that venture. But I’ve been eagerly looking for more signs of spring!
Critters and Craft 