Chickadee Photo Art

And now… something different

// November 30th, 2009 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Fungus Mosses Lichens, Scenic

I’ll wander away from the usual birds and wildlife today and post some photos of random objects.  A perfect bubble lands on still waters of a lake; a weathered lattice with lichens; raspberries from my garden; a wooden step path leads down to the lake; a hot air balloon flying above my house.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Prairie Province Scenes

// November 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // Rocky Mountains, Scenic

Some scenic photos today from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Enjoy!
~Sharon

Orb Weaving Spiders

// November 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Insects

Spiders that spin  webs  resembling wheels with spokes are known as Orb Weavers. The rounded web is anchored with silk strands – in a triangular shape – to reeds and grasses.  Below is a photo of the full web.  There were literally hundreds of these webs that were larger than dinner plates in a ditch just east of Winnipeg and likely the only reason that I noticed them was because it was early in the morning, they were heavy with dew and glistening in the morning sun. I think it is just amazing how these small sized spiders create such magnificant webs.  Most of the webs I looked at that morning had a spider at home in the centre waiting for breakfast to drop in.  Orb Weavers, like most spiders, are not considered harmful to humans and, in fact, are beneficial as they assist in insect control. I must admit that spiders are not at the top of my favourites lists but they really are fascinating little creatures.

Below:  A closer view of the Orb Weaver. This was was a pretty blue-green colour and its legs were a light shade of orange.  So far, all the spiders I have observed are “hairy”.

Below: Yet another Orb Weaver – this one found in my garden but not in the web.  It was referred to as a “cat face” on one website that I visited. I don’t see a resemblance but . . .

Enjoy!

Sharon