It’s isn’t all beautiful butterflies over here… nor should it be! The insect world is vital to the health of our environment, but the truth is… it isn’t always pretty.

But it is always fascinating!

I’ll get the spiders out of the way first, because I know not everyone loves them.

Last year the garden was spider city, but the haven’t been quite as visible this year. Dave also declared war on all my porch spiders because they set off the security cameras – he’s constantly out there sweeping their webs away.

The one on the left is a Cross Orb Weaver… they are super common (and usually on/around the porch). I think they have really pretty patterns. The one on the right is a Tan Jumping Spider – and while it looks quite large here – it was smaller than a dime. She was hanging out on the gate but she didn’t’ stick around long for much of a photoshoot.

This next one was a super lucky find.

A cicada in the green! I’ve only ever come across their molted shells before – never one still kicking! This one was hanging out in the sunflowers out front. Certainly a face only a mother could love.

This next one was rescued from the fire.

It’s a Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar. We were sitting around a fire in Neighbour Bronson’s backyard and I noticed him inching along a branch that was just thrown in. Naturally I pulled him out and took a picture. He’s not poisonous like some fuzzy caterpillars, but he can cause irritation if you touch him (I did not)

And last… this is not bird poo on the pussywillow.

This is a caterpillar – it’s either a Viceroy Caterpillar or a Red Spotted Purple Caterpillar. The two are very similar and I am not learned enough to know the difference.

Either way, I’m thrilled to have spotted him (there were actually two!) munching away on my pussywillow. It means more butterflies!

Remember….