Joan Ambu Archives – Page 31 of 96 – Strength Of The Small

Do-It-Yourself Maintenance Spiders Gardening High Desert

Quiet Afternoon

By JM PerezSeptember 18, 20141 min read580 views

These past few weeks in the High Desert have been quite hectic and like so many residents, I have been praying for more rain. In just a couple of days, Fall will be here.

I was pleasantly surprised in the garden when I found gorgeous delicate clusters of yellow flowers on one of my numerous Mexican Bird of Paradise evergreen shrubs. The plant is drought tolerant to a certain degree and can re-sprout after colder temperatures. I planted them last Summer from seed, in full sun, and they have been thriving ever since attracting hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.

As I was deadheading my spent Roses, I spotted an Argiope Trifasciata (orb weaving spider) hanging head down in the center of its web above a miniature Rose bush. You can clearly see its web linear decoration, zig-zag band of silk structure also known as stabilimentum.

I wondered if it could be the same I captured last month by my garage door and released in the backyard.

*Argiope Trifasciata, a Banded Garden Orbweaver.*

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Pages:

By JM Perez

Spiders Gardening High Desert

Garden Orb Spider

By JM PerezAugust 22, 20141 min read634 views

The Summer vacation has come and gone. The kids are once again back to school and I’m finding it hard to believe that September will soon be here.

Mother Nature has been so wonderful lately that I didn’t get to do much in the garden.
After Wednesday’s light rain however, I had some clean up to do around the house. I spotted a young Argiope Trifasciata (also known as orb weaving spider) hanging head down on my garage door. Argiope Trifasciata is a species of spider found around the world where the habitat is favorable.

The spider is known to make a highly symmetrical orb web and is found in late summer and early fall as temperatures start dropping. Though considered harmless, the Banded Garden Orbweaver might bite if it feels threatened.

Wishing you a great day. Take time to enjoy your weekend!

Pages:

By JM Perez

Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillars

Great Ash Sphinx Moth

By JM PerezJuly 29, 20141 min read3.2K views

As I was collecting leaves from my Raywood Ash tree a couple of weeks ago to feed the Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar we were raising in a kit, I spotted something slightly different on a leave.

Its life cycle is similar to the one of the Hummingbird Moth.

*Hummingbird Hawk-Moth Life Cycle.*
*Image Source: AnimalBook.org.*

On a closer inspection I realized it was a caterpillar similar to the tomato caterpillar. I later found that it was a Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Sphinx Chersis).

*Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Sphinx Chersis).*

Notice what will be the future proboscis at the top of the chrysalis.

*Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Transition).*

The first Great Ash Sphinx Moth emerged from its chrysalis approximately three and a half weeks later. Click here to learn more about this Moth.

Another thrilling experience for my kids.

Pages:

By JM Perez

Leisure Destinations Education

Aquarium of the Pacific Visit

By JM PerezJuly 25, 20141 min read1.6K views

This Afternoon we visited the largest Aquarium in Southern California, the Aquarium of the Pacific. It is a public aquarium on a 5-acre site on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California which displays over 11,000 animals in more than 50 exhibits that represent the diversity of the Pacific Ocean.

The visit was a pre-birthday gift for my Son who turns seven tomorrow. The expressions on their faces upon arrival at the sight was priceless. Surprisingly they were patient and well behaved, which made our first visit at the Aquarium pleasant.

The kids learned so much about Aquatic Life and they were thrilled as we made our way through the different exhibits. It was a wonderful way to experience the Aquarium and see some of its amazing Marine Creatures. At the end of the day, we had a very talented gentle man draw a Family cartoon of us.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow below.

Pages:

By JM Perez

Rabbit Gardening High Desert

Cottontail Rabbit Hunt

By JM PerezJuly 24, 20141 min read573 views

As Summer heat hit its peak, critters and other living things alike come out in search for food and shelter. Sometimes they are lucky and sometimes they find an unfortunate fate.

For almost a month now, some of my plants in the front yard have been decimated by a Cottontail Rabbit, which made itself at home every evening to feast. Most of my Gaura Lindheimeri young plants are either halfway gone or a total loss. Those cute little animals are a menace as they can be very destructive to unfenced gardens.

As you can see on the above picture, the young Cottontail Rabbit remained hidden underneath the Gaura Lindheimeri plant and didn’t budge when my husband got his Pellet Gun ready and opened the door. The first shot missed the Rabbit which still didn’t move. The second shot got it in the ear and that was the end.

I will move on to revive the rest of the damaged plants and secure my front yard fencing.

Pages:

By JM Perez