Some Fun Finds!

When I first noticed this Harvestman, it looked like the legs had been bedazzled! Upon closer inspection, the red "beads" were tiny mites. Although the mites are parasitic, they are unlikely to kill the host.

I loved the pattern on this leaf! Then I loved the name of the leaf miner who created the artwork even more! Aspen Serpentine Leaf Miner Moth! Spied at Skunks Misery during a Butterfly Count. Leaf miners are the larvae of various species of insects that live inside leaves and feed on leaf tissue. The damage looks like discoloured lines or blotches on leaves.

Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar: The large eye spots help to scare away potential predators.

A family of Barn Swallows "sang" for their supper whenever Mom and Dad returned with some yummy insects.

Its nesting time for American Goldfinches! They typically nest later than other species, not starting to nest until late June/early July. Exterior nest materials often include twigs and strips of bark held together by spider silk. The interior consists of rootlets and plant fibers with downy lining added to make the nest comfortable.

https://birdfact.com/articles/American-Goldfinch-nesting

The female American Goldfinch in the above 2 pictures is collecting Thistle Down to use in the interior of the nest. Her eyes were almost completely covered by the down which may have made it difficult to fly back to the nest!