Last Illinois Post (Finally)

Hello!

Have I mentioned that I have calendars for sale?  Here's a button you can click to by one (or seven):



You may recall that once upon a time I promised a final post from Illinois.  It sure has been a while.  But at long last I have gotten around to editing those miscellaneous images that remained.  Most are inverts, but there is a surprise guest at the end.  Here goes.

To begin, an Eastern Comma showing the namesake marking on the hindwing:

Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)

Continuing on the butterfly theme, a Red-spotted Purple (the name makes no sense to me either...):

Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)

I found this cool grub under a log!  Seems to be some sort of beetle larva, but that's as far as I can guess.  It was big though!

Grub (Grubicus giganticus)*

*Please note this latin name may be a fake

Now on to one of my favourite subjects, spiders.  Some people seem to be under the mistaken impression that spiders are ugly.  I don't know where these people are getting their information, but they have obviously never met a jumping spider.  I dare you to look into that little face and not think adorable.

Jumping Spider (Family: Salticidae)

Jumping Spider (Family: Salticidae)

As we were taking down the tents at the end of the weekend, we found this cool wasp that had come to join us.  It was huge!

Wasp

Sometimes you think the trip is winding down, and mother nature throws you one more little surprise.  We got lost while driving to our last stop, and while trying to find our way we road-cruised this Eastern Box Turtle!  A life-herp for me, and one I was very excited to see.  Never did come out of its shell, but that's a box turtle for you!

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)

Well, the Illinois photos are all wrapped up.  What'll I do now....?

Kyle