The Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, that is. This Ulster Co. area is best known for its winter raptor scene, but the grasslands are at their peak in late summer.
A distant Red-tail and a closer Cooper’s Hawk were the only raptors in sight. But the invertebrate situation was fine indeed. Yesterday, we had some grasshoppers on display and there will be more of that below, but in the meantime, a Striped Blister Beetle.
Short-winged Meadow Cricket, missing a leg.
Peck’s Skipper.
Arcigera Flower Moth.
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle.
Oh, just a little cannibalism.
It happens. Possibly Red-legged Grasshoppers (Melanoplus femurrubrum). Female eating a male. And really, who could blame her?
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I don’t use Amazon. Haven’t for many years now. It’s a monstrous corporation. And it’s not hard to avoid it, really. Here’s an exploration of the terrible cost of the fetish of next-day delivery.
add to that the people who are too lazy to get the food prepared for them, and menace everyone with electric delivery bikes whizzing along as fast as cars, no lights and very poorly paid.