marsrover said:
Then, I attended to the usual suspects, probably Boxelder Bugs, Eastern Boxelder Bugs (Boisea trivittata). Generally, they hang out on the garage foundation and wall, but this time I caught some on the prickly pear cacti:

Robert, It's looking pretty dismal here too insect wise, and I'm only an hour southwest, not much difference in climate--CHILLY now. Box elders are unstoppable and would survive a nuclear blast I have a Boxelder tree and one year there were literally thousands of them. Luckily it's further from the house but they still get inside the windows for warmth.

jmorth said:


Bee like >


< unknown (maybe an up side down bee like?)
Your little striped guys are Hover flies Jack

Thanks Cheryl!

Oh Char!! I'm so sorry. HUGS There's no rule that every post has to be upbeat. Mostly that we can learn from mistakes and there's even the possibility that somebody reading and lurking might give pause before doing something like this.
So many people believe that once they "Own" something, they're free to do as they please-- and they are "legally"--- but morally? So why? Is it ignorance?- maybe. Arrogance? -maybe. A combination of the two?

We have the same issue here. The majority of New York and New Jersey folks came to visit us in Amish country. They like it so much they move here. They sell dear there, and buy more cheaply here and build McMansions. They also want all the conveniences of home.
Translation: Stores. Lots of them! The more the better and they speak of it as "improving" Lancaster County.
Since none of us as as wealthy as King Midas to buy up hundreds of acres, the only option is too educate as gently as possible. Do our best with what we own ourselves. I've been slowly talking with shoppers and coworkers at my workplace, and especially my neighbors helping to plant pollinator gardens, handing out literature, and connecting properties to enlarge habitat.
You didn't have time to build a relationship with the new neighbors, but despite your disgust of their actions, maybe eventually you can talk with them to try and reverse some of the damage already done.

jmorth said:Thanks Cheryl!

You're welcome Jack! Here's a pic of your Hover Fly alongside one of my photos for comparison:


If you watch them closely their flattened little butts move up and down while they eat.
By the way, if you look closely at your photo(the one with the pink flower) you'll see the legs of a crab spider at about ten o'clock from the Hover Fly. What hidden treasures!

I'm sad with you, Char.

A Rose or two, to sooth your soul.

For anyone and everyone:
http://www.chesapeakelandscape...

Great idea Christine!! Looking at paradise-like pictures and taking a mental vacation by walking thru them and imagining the sight and smell, touch and sound of the place does wonders for our souls. I've visited everyone of these places that way. Here's a few for you Char:

And finally a p***** off face of a Garfieldesque dragonfly to send out for our true feelings!

Thanks, Cheryl. That was my first smile of the day.

Aww, Char. I've seen so much development in Florida, I know how you feel. I had some good news about the property behind us, though. For those who don't know, our neighbor who lived on the property behind ours house died about three years ago. The property is roughly nine acres, of which about three acres are wetlands. When it sold, we were very worried a developer would come in and do exactly what Char pictured. Without the fire, though. That's pretty regulated in this area. Well, a family moved in but they are just renting the house. However, Dad talked to the father the other day and he's a carpenter and is renovating the house. We figured there would be no reason to renovate the current house if they were going to knock it down and put in many houses. So for now

Robert, you're killing me with your butterfly descriptions. That's still a Cabbage White. They have spots and darker markings on them. They usually have their wings closed so you don't always see them. Plus, they do vary a bit. Or maybe it just got into the chocolate sauce?

Oh, Char, I would be totally furious and upset - I completely agree with you. People ought to be required to have a licence (obtained by passing a challenging test about conservation) before they're allowed to buy land in the countryside.

Right Mika? I'm a firm believer that you can't legislate morality, but you sure can try
It wouldn't be below me to stoop to making some homemade goodies; pie, cake, cookies, whatever... and a copy of "Bringing Nature Home" book or the CD videos of Hometown Habitat I referenced in that link in a previous post..... all tucked into a lovely gift basket as a Housewarming present for new neighbors like that. You can bite your tongue and have a good scream and cuss out session indoors later on.

nativeplantlover said:I've visited everyone of these places that way. Here's a few for you Char:


I'm so glad we gotcha to crack a smile Char!! Here's more info on that picture with gigantic flower for anybody that doesn't yet know what it is:

http://loc.gov/rr/scitech/myst...

Char I feel for you The young neighbors across the street from me ripped out ALL the landscaping, 50 year old rhododendron and hydrangeas and azaleas, cut down trees and then literally did nothing...no replanting...nothing. I get to look at weeds and cheap fake log edging with weed filled beds...been trying to figure out why they did it for two years now.

luvsgrtdanes said:Char I feel for you The young neighbors across the street from me ripped out ALL the landscaping, 50 year old rhododendron and hydrangeas and azaleas, cut down trees and then literally did nothing...no replanting...nothing. I get to look at weeds and cheap fake log edging with weed filled beds...been trying to figure out why they did it for two years now.

Ronnie, it sounds like they ran out of money, or energy, or both. It's a shame though.

Char, I'm so sorry! Here's hoping they will put in new landscaping, or raise horses or something wonderful like that.

Flies and bee-likes

GrammaChar said:Your photos are just incredible!!!! Each one is so perfectly composed, spot-on focus, amazing detail....okay, you're good! I am in awe.

Yeah...what she said Robert!

Charlotte, I am so sorry about what your new neighbors are doing to that great wildlife habitat area, very sad indeed.