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

[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.

[Denise]

Fantastic pictures golden journey! That one shot looks really cool from under the flower, good job.

Here is one of a wildflower leaf that's the size of my pinky nail. I didnt use a tripod, but I probably should have so the picture would have turned out better. I'll have to try this one again so I can get a shot that you can see the reflection in the dew drips, and better detail of the furry leaf.

[Coalbunny]

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"

Solifugae. Appears to be specifically a female Eremobates sp. (palpisetulosus group).

[Woody]

Thanks for the info Coalbunny,

I certainly never knew of their scientific name but am well acquainted with them as Camel Spiders or Wind Scorpions. We even have a similar species here in Colorado just referred to as Wind Scorpion. There is much, "untruths", surrounding these critters but I can personally account for their voracious apatite. In Iraq G.I.s would put them in jars and feed them everything they could find. It is amazing how much they can eat. But I do believe they will kill themselves if over feed. By over feeding them I mean, someone would through a Scorpion in the jar and it would eat it, no sooner then it finished that someone would through in another full sized Camel Spider and the looser of that fight would get eaten, on and on until it dies and then they get another.

The one in the 1st pic was last year in Southern Iraq. This new pic is a few years ago in Northern Iraq. Down South there is only the one type, up North there seems to be a variety. Have a good one, Woody.

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[Denise]

Gads Woody! The spider pictures make my skin crawl!!
Since you posted that pic and mentioned Colorado has some (wind scorpions), I have been seeing them all over the place. One even came after me while I was working in the garden. Why so agressive, what did I ever do?

I also had this big feller smack me right in the forehead, but I can't seem to be able to identify what it is.
It looks like some kind of Cicada, but Im not sure.

Any ideas from any of you bug fans? Its a little larger than a quarter.

Close up picture of its face....Almost looks like an evil old lady with glasses.



Side view.

[Woody]

This looks like the result of a bad joke;

A Shis-tzu, a Hores fly, and a Locus walk into a bar............
Clams on a half-wing......
This is your brain on drugs, any questions??


Looking at that first pic again I think it has finally happened, "when Pigs Fly".


Seriously, I think someone took this sucker apart and lost a few pieces when they put him back together again. Not a clue.



About them Wind Scorpions, We found one last week. We were sitting out front and one just crawled up the wall right by my Stepson's face.
Have a good one, woody.