July 7, 2018
In June 2015, Judith Holm took this amazing photograph in the Estuary: she calls it her white bog orchid (Plantathera dilatata) action photo.
Recently, Carl Halvorson took some amazing photographs too.
Leona and I were walking the dogs the other day and marvelling at all the lupines along the dike – and the bee activity. I decided to get a bee picture with my phone and noticed a very quiet, calm bee in one of the flowers. When I zoomed in and manipulated the flower for a better angle I marvelled at how VERY calm the bee was – it didn’t seem perturbed at all! Then I saw a little white something back inside and investigated farther to discover this spider enjoying some bee brains. Who knew they lie in wait and jump some poor unsuspecting pollinator for a handy snack!!
We’re not sure of the bee species, but the spiders (including Gwen L’Hirondelle’s spider on the pink peony petal above) are all female Goldenrod Crab Spiders (Misumena vatia). This species is found throughout the northern hemisphere and is the largest and best-known flower spider in North America. Individuals may be white or yellow, depending on the colour of the flower where they are hunting.
Banner photo: Female Goldenrod Crab Spiders (Misumena vatia), by Gwen L’Hirondelle. Inset images by Judith Holm and Carl Halvorson.