Nature close up, What did you see out there? Options

[Denise]

Here is a little different kind of encounter. This little guy usually only comes out at night, but I found one hidding just after sunrise. Gads! The thing has toes....hehe



We have been doing a little more research on this one since Timmy keeps having encounters with them. Poor guy! First he had one in his pants when he went to put them on. He felt it move, so he grabbed it pulling it away from him. Sad to say, this caused its body to oooze down his leg. He said it felt like sand running down his leg. When I first saw what was left of it, I thought spider but it only had 6 legs. That led us to crickets, and there it was, the Jerusalem cricket. These things are good sized! Facinating things to learn about! (see Wikipedia link below). A few nights later when he was trying to go to sleep, he told us he heard a strange tapping noice. We looked all over but couldnt find anything.

As we were researching the Jerusalem cricket
We clicked the sound file it has for the "drumming" sound it makes.



Timmy was close doing his school work and came running over saying "Whats that sound? Thats the sound I heard the other night."

Bingo!

Looks like they're awake and ready for the season again. I think its cool how they wrap sticks around the hole. Guess you can make a tiny circle with sticks.

[Woody]

I am always amazed at the cool stuff I see and find every time I view a new thread and this one was no exception. I did not know that these little buggers built a circle around their entrance. Hummmmm..... It’s got to be for keeping something out. I wonder what?

[Woody]

Sorry, this feller was a little camera shy. It will be hard for you to guess what it is if you are not familiar with them. I will give you a hint, "They are very problematic in the south".

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[Denise]

That would be a mole cricket, scientific name Orthoptera Gryllotalpidae. They could be a problem in ones garden.

Looks like they have little toes also.

[Woody]

Really, it was that easy for you hu? I thought it would tax your thinking cap at least a little. OK, I'm working on a new pic as we speak. I just got to get the camera just right..... BRB

[Woody]

At first glance this appears to be some sort of Alien Miniature Unicorn Skull. But of course not. I will give you only one hint and it is in the form of a riddle. ” In its more recognizable form it might be said that it possesses scales, but don't think of fish”. Hope these pics are not too large. Have fun guessing, Woody.

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[Denise]

Timmy had a guess that it was a horse shoe crab, but I dont think thats it. Interesting, but I think I need another hint.

[Denise]

BTW.........OUCH! Look at that thumb!

[Woody]

No Ma'am, not a crab.

In fact they are quite common right here in landlocked Colorado and I am most certain that you have seen these before. My first clue was a hard one, so I will explain it. When I said,” In its more recognizable form it might be said that it possesses scales, but don't think of fish”. I was referring to a part of its name. Dragons might be said to possess scales, right? "OK I admit it was a reach but hey, you got that last one lickety-split. I mean come on! Who in Colorado knows what a Mole Cricket is? lol". So there is your second clue. Part of its name is a Dragon.

"wispering" he said Mole Cricket..... he hee. Woody

[Denise]

Seems Im better at guessing when they're alive.

[Coalbunny]

Well, it really doesn't look much like a lawyer....(they have scales, too, right?)

[Woody]

Would you believe .....


These neat little creations are actually seed pods from the common Snap Dragon. They look so much like a tiny skull it's amazing. Different varrities have different looking pods but they all look simular to a head of some sort. Take care, Woody

[Denise]

Very cool Woody! When we were trying to figure it out, that was one of our biggest problems was not knowing what it was from. Bones, seed pods etc.
Nature sure is an amazing thing!

One never knows what they will find out there enjoying nature.
Here is, what apperas to be is a Jerusalem cricket's burrow bottom that Timmy found in the hole he was digging Fulgurite from.
I guess its better than him bringing home the bugs and snakes.

[Woody]

I'm with Timmy.

I want to find out what's at the bottom of something like that. Here is a pic of a nasty little critter. This one was only about 4 inches in size, "Barely Legal"

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[golden_journey]

i have way too many of these type of pics.
the macro feature on my camera is too much fun.