CalevPhoto

It’s a beetle. Hard how could it be to identify?

Last weekend while looking under logs and stones in my backyard, I found this cute little beetle.

I found a number of these scurrying after I picked up a bag of gravel.  They clearly did not like to be in the open as they tried to hide under whatever they could find.  Although not evident from the shot, the back reflected a greenish color.

According to modern estimates, there are about 350,000 beetle species identified so far.  Scientists believe that the total amount of beetle species on the planet is somewhere from around three to eight million.  The end result, the chances I’ll be able to identify this beetle are not great.

Continue Reading…

Our friend the garden centipede

One of the easiest bugs to find in our gardens is the garden centipede.  These centipedes are among the more brightly colored denizens under rocks and logs but can be quite tricky to photograph as they do not stay still.

While some tropical centipedes possess very potent venom, the centipedes in our gardens are harmless and of no danger.  Instead, they are very beneficial for the garden as they are great predators – taking care of many bugs we would prefer to not have around.  You can find more information about them here.

I find them among the more fascinating things in the garden and I can find them nearly 100% of the time.  Only pill bugs are easier to find. Continue Reading…

Some more work on composition

About two weeks ago, temperatures were only a little bit chilly on the weekend so I went out to see what I could find.  I also went out to try to improve my compositions.  It is my goal to not just take identification pictures of insects and other small creatures – but to give them personality and make pleasing shots to look at.

Most of the small critters were hard to find that day, but I did find some interesting things.  This one I found rather cute and it looks almost like the worm is introducing himself!

Continue Reading…