He Who Walks Behind The Stalks
Now I’m nostalgic to eat sunflower seeds, raw straight off the head. Totally different from salted/toasted … and a flavor memory I associate with childhood summers in the rural areas of Poland.
Back on topic: I took myself on a long, semi-random drive today, and wandered a wooded area somewhere near White Cloud, MI.
Saw some unripe blackberries, and one tiny but perfect specimen that I happily popped into my mouth.
I also saw a nuthatch, hanging totally upside-down and doing his groovy thing.
Finally, I saw the fresh roadkill of a red fox, which was notable because it was a mere couple hundred feet from my house.
That means I live in fox country, and might get to see a living one in person someday!
I saw this black and blue butterfly yesterday…
and discovered that it is known as a red-spotted purple. 
…and today a fourth time (!!) - again, I followed a buzzard down a tunnel made of overhanging trees, this time on this road (only a couple of miles from my last report, above). I slowed right down and cycled almost at walking pace as it flew twenty or thirty yards, perched, and when I got too close (six or seven yards), flew on and perched again, until I got too close again and then we would repeat. This is happening too often to not be a thing - anyone any idea why buzzards would hang around specifically on roads like this?
j
Waitin’ for roadkill to happen?
Coming home from Utah yesterday on Hwy 395 near Bishop I saw what I am pretty sure was a ring tail cat. 1st time I have saw one in nature, possible it could have been a raccoon but I don’t think so.
It’s a hell of a quiet road - roadkill isn’t exactly going to be piling up there. On the other hand, if there were to be some roadkill, it would offer a leisurely and little interrupted meal, I guess.
j
!!SPIDER ALERT!!
Mr. Legs has dismantled his entire web (trash-can lid size) and moved it in front of the window–since last night; easily covers 1/3 of the (4’ x 4’) surface. Later tonight, he will probably set the house on fire and then feast on whoever escapes through the 'ole-in-the-wall. My wife says she’s just about had enough with the beastie and she’s getting that look in her eyes. This will not end well for him (or possibly me).
Pray for burpo.
Okay, not today but can I do this? This was on a road trip from where I live near San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas. In Baja there are plenty of cardón cacti in the countryside. This cardón was close to the road so we doubled back to take this shot. But pulling up to it we saw how really large it is.
I think it’s a cardón. I had to look it up. Someone please correct that if it’s inaccurate.
Also on that road trip, More nature — el arco de Cabo San Lucas, the pristine beauty of Cabo Pulmo, and the fantastic experiences with gray whales. Beautiful and majestic, all of it.
My pics are out on Imgur >> From our road trip to Cabo San Lucas some years back - Album on Imgur.
Oh, the whales! I like the first one, where you can see him/her under the water.
Liked the look of those cocktails too. 
Yes the whales were magnificent. I want to go back and do it again!
Cocktails help too, of course. 
Shine a light on the web at night, let it catch all sorts of flying bugs. That will probably allay her concerns.
Probably she’s Mrs. Legs. Let her catch bugs for you in peace - she will die with the coming winter a la Charlotte.
Catch a fly or cricket & toss it into her web for her. Great quarantine fun for the whole family!
(No, seriously, people post about their kids regularly feeding the family garden spider in a bunch of gardening-type Facebook groups I’m in. Good way to show 'em science stuff right up close & personal.)
Today at the Grand Canyon south rim I saw a really nice tarantula hawk and, quite a surprise, some bighorn sheep just off the side of the road.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50335089803_ea1af45e27_n.jpg
Paging @burpo_the_wonder_mutt come in burps requesting status update.
How is the spider doing?
^ I wish I was doing as well: The little schnook has sub-let its old location to a different species of arachnid, so now I have two spiders and will have to hire the Sheriff to evict them both. Banana Spider has gotten sizable and (snicker) my wife is worried the dogs will wander too close and end up like the Larson cartoon.
I’ll keep you posted.
Spotted hanging on to my grocery cart inside Meijer’s a preying mantis. I wanted rescue it when I was done by detouring through the garden center and releasing it there but I forgot about it and it was gone when I got to my car. Wait I think it was gone but it might’ve climbed in my bags of stuff meaning it could be in my house now!
Those are twice as dangerous as praying mantises!
Watched a coyote run through my front yard last Friday on my Blink camera.