7 Observations

On this particular day, the Bee was pollinating on a flower by Heartland’s pond. Interesting fact, male Carpenter Bees can not sting because they do not have stingers. ( http://www.journal-news.net/news/2013/04/the-interesting-life-and-behavior-of-carpenter-bees/ )

This caterpillar was seen on a leaf off a trail around Heartland’s pond and prairie. Seems like he was just sitting there, but was probably feeding. Fun fact, Common Buckeye caterpillars molt four times before they hang to pupate. ( https://butterfly-fun-facts.com/common-buckeye-junonia-coenia/ )

This furry caterpillar was found walking across the trail around Heartland’s pond. Looked like it was moving between food sources. Fun Fact, a generation can be completed in 35-40 days under ideal conditions. It is estimated there are between 1-4 generations created every year. ( http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/saltmarsh_caterpillar.htm )

I captured a picture of this Comma while it was resting in a leaf. It could be munching on the leaf or just soaking up the sun. Fun Fact, this butterfly gets its name from the only white marking on its underside, which resembles a comma.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=20&ved=0ahUKEwibu5DElvzdAhVB9IMKHcDjDucQvRkIYCgAMBM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukbutterflies.co.uk%2Fspecies.php%3Fspecies%3Dc-album&usg=AOvVaw0lm4coi9drgzoJw8mtCfcC

This beetle was sitting and eating this plant on Weldon Spring’s trails. Fun Fact, the Japanese Beetle is about the most devastating pest of urban landscapes plants in the eastern United States.
https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef451

I was able to capture a picture of one of these butterflies, however, there were at least 4-5 more flying around this same rock. There must have been something on this particular rock that they found tasty because they were flying around it for a long time, taking turns resting on it. Fun Fact, this butterfly almost never visits yellow flowers, but favor blue, red, pink, purple, and sometimes white or cream-colored ones.
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Epargyreus-clarus

This Spider was found off the old Route 66 bike trail. Looks like he was making a web at the trunk of a tree that was near the trail. Fun Fact, these spiders tend to keep their dark bellies facing the south, most likely in an effort to absorb solar heat, enabling it to stay active longer in colder weather.

https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Banded-Garden-Spider