We rode to the top of Lake Mountain yesterday. Wildflowers were out all along the way.
A red-tailed bumblebee,
Bombus ternarius, fed on a mountain dandelion.
This less colorful bumblebee preferred the golden pea blooms.
Do you see something unusual on this iris? Steve did, enough to dismount and take a second look.
On closer inspection, you can observe this goldenrod crab spider
Misumena vatia, eating a wasp. Look closer still. Do you see the baby spider to the right? It's getting a survival lesson from mom. I hope it's taking notes. These spiders can be either yellow or white, changing color over a couple of weeks by secreting or excreting yellow pigment. They don't build webs, but hide and ambush their prey.
A rocky mountain parnassian perches on a dandelion.
This western swallowtail checks out the iris nectar.
Across Gull Lake, an elk was wading in the water. When we rode within about 500 yards, it splashed out of the water, leaving a visible wake, and disappeared into the aspen forest.
Back at the trailer, a trusting Daisy enjoys Boss's shade. Boss usually moves along when grazing, but with Daisy there, he didn't take a single step. He seemed to know she was there and stood protectively over her.
Such smart animals. Boss and Daisy are such a great team. Love the flowers and the visitors on them as well. Good eye and excellent photos.
ReplyDeleteSpring in the Utah mountains sure is beautiful.. spider and all.
ReplyDeleteDaisy is wise and so is the protective Boss.
Thanks for sharing the beauty, Janie.
I was impressed with the red-tailed bumble bee but you pushed me over the edge with the spider! Awesome. Wow I would be beside myself getting pictures of that beauty just by itself, but dining on a wasp? Too much! Nicely done.
ReplyDeletewow! stunning images..loved the bumble bee image the most
ReplyDeleteWow---lots of beautiful wildflowers and critters... Love that picture of Daisy in the shade under Boss... NEAT!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
What a neat post. Love all the shots, but especially the crab spider (I have a similar photo of one I found in my yard) and the horse providing shade for the dog.
ReplyDeleteWhat cool pictures. That yellow spider munching the wasp is really a great one. And Boss standing over Daisy is very cute.
ReplyDeleteIncredibly beautiful and fascinating post! I love all the flowers and critters. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the bees!
ReplyDeleteAnd that spider will surely come to haunt me in my dreams soon!
The bitterflies....Boss is a good boy!
I've never seen a red-tailed bumble bee before -- it is very pretty. You've got a great eye to catch all of these, especially the Mama Spider and her little one. Your photos are marvelous. I'm glad Daisy and Boss have such a good relationship.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I love the deer in the aspens...and daisy in the shade!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular and colorful pics - really brings out the beauty of the countryside. Loved the pics of the bumble bee, the butterfly and the elk !
ReplyDeleteThat is a cool photo of the goldenrod crab spider, but I'd rather not see one! We have had swallowtails all over the place for the past couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteElk mama, I think, with a calf nearby. Cool humblebee, that redtail. And I love the cryptic spiders--we have some that look like the yellow center of a raspberry blossom.
ReplyDeleteOOOH! I love that red-tailed bumble bee! Great capture of the spider eating a wasp. I've never seen that before. I love watching bees and butterflies.
ReplyDeleteTerrific macros ... especially the first one of the bumble bee.
ReplyDeleteJanie those are awesome photos...I love wildflowers...the spiders are too cool...love Daisy's little canopy for shade...such a sweet horse...
ReplyDeleteGreat pics of the flowers and the bumblebees and the spiders.
ReplyDeletethis time of year is so pretty in the high country.
ReplyDelete