Thursday, October 31, 2013

Walkin the gourd

do the skeleton walk

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Thorpe Park and an Asian Beetle

I posted a photo of  what I thought was a remaining Lady Bug, perched on some berries on a tree in Thorpe Park. Within a few minutes I receivied responses informing me that this was the Asian Beetle, an unpleasant little pest that infests trees and  houses. Yes, The Asian Beetle.  So I looked up the rascal on a Kentucky Web Site:
"Large numbers of lady beetles (ladybugs) infesting homes and buildings in the United States were first reported in the early 1990s. Ladybugs normally are considered beneficial since they live outdoors and feed on plant pests.


The last ladybug, Thorpe Park

 Asian lady beetle adults - color variation
Asian lady beetles vary in color. Note the whitish area
with M-shaped marking behind the head.

One species of lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, can be a nuisance however, when they fly to buildings in search of overwintering sites and end up indoors. Once inside they crawl about on windows, walls, attics, etc., often emitting a noxious odor and yellowish staining fluid before dying.
In many areas of the U.S., these autumn invasions are such a nuisance that they affect quality of life.

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?

The Asian Lady Beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), is relatively new to this country. The beetle is native to Asia (e.g., China, Russia, Korea, Japan), where it dwells in trees and fields, preying on aphids and scale insects. The first field populations in the United States were found in Louisiana in 1988. Since then the beetle has expanded its range to include much of the U.S. and parts of Canada. Earliest records in Kentucky date back to a few specimens collected in Hickman County in 1992.

 During the 1960s to 1990s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture attempted to establish the Asian lady beetle to control agricultural pests, especially of pecans and apples. Large numbers of the beetles were released in several states including Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Washington, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Maryland. No such releases were ever attempted in Kentucky, and their occurrence here is probably due to northward migration from other southern states. Some scientists believe that current infestations in the U.S. originated not from these intentional releases, but from beetles accidentally transported into New Orleans on a freighter from Japan."

Monday, October 28, 2013

Little Nik

Little Nik "My pumpkin you see
is WAY too small!
I'll carve this pumpkin till
there's no pumpkin left at all!"
 - little nik

The story of Nik
begins just before Halloween.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Minnetonka Nocturne

Minnetonka  nocturne The edge of the steps leading down to the deck were cold and wet. I could barely make out the irregular planks in the moonlight. It had been a steady drizzle in the early hours and now the full moon was out. I made my way cautiously, fearful that a slip could send me into the chilly waters fully clothed.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

The final turn for number 8. Carson's Bay in October

final days

Monday, October 21, 2013

Deephaven, Signs in Autumn

Deephaven City Hall in Fall Cottagewood street sign

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Chairman of the Board

The face on the cutting block

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Excelsior Community Garden

Excelsior Community garden The waning days of the season. I stopped in to see the tomatoes had been picked. Closed up. Sorry to arrive so late in the season.

Monday, October 14, 2013

A view out from the Docks. Deephaven Beach

From the Deephaven Beach docks

Friday, October 11, 2013

Cottagewood memories

Cottagewood Grocery  @1920

Wednesday, October 09, 2013

Dangling conversations.

cat & dog converse We chatted for a while, but it became obvious that our differences were insurmountable.

Monday, October 07, 2013

Parking lot pumpkins in October

King pumpkin He was the gourd on watch. green & orange

Thursday, October 03, 2013

Under The Vinehill Bridge

The Old Vinehill Bridge over the trail The bridge on Vinehill over the "LRT" Trail is scheduled for replacement. I took this photos a few years back. 2005.

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

October 2nd 2013

Two oars

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