So, it’s almost a new week now, and two new lifers from today:
Miguel’s Mazus – I saw it last Sunday, but was not able to photograph it until today.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164079663
Barley Powdery Mildew – a powdery mildew on a grass.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164078939
I have been trying to break out of my adult addiction to frenzy and re-learn to let nature come to me, like I did as a child. So, when I had to go to Little Washington, I decided to just pick one spot along the greenway and sit there. Among the nature that came to me was a black scavenger fly:
Made my first observation of Homo sapiens today - does that count as a lifer? Kidding!
My favorite of the last week was a Centris bee that I didn’t get a photo of. So my next favorite to share with y’all (out of ~66 new species 
) is this Cossidae moth in the genus Giviria Givira lucretia by Elliott Gordon · iNaturalist
I went to the mountains and got quite a few lichen lifers. My favorite is Thamnolia vermicularis - such a unique look and it was growing plentiful on the bare soil above the tree line. The German common name “Totengebein” means “dead bones” and it made me contemplate all the battles tiny creatures must have fought on those plains a long time ago to have so many bones strewn around…
If it’s your first post of the species to iNat, it counts as an iNat lifer.
Okay so I THOUGHT my favorite lifer was going to be the Scarlet Tanager that landed ten feet in front of my face, but instead I think its this dude
TBH not 100% sure on what it is (I think its a Louisiana waterthrush?) but my guy had the most adorable tail bobs. I’m regretting not getting video of him bobbing away, because it may have been one of the cutest things I’ve seen in a while.
As this is my only lifer in a while, I’ll add it here. I’d never heard of them before.
Rocky canyon spider
This new week I was happy to find:
Bracted Sedge, Carex radiata
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164514243
and
Green-and-Gold, Chrysogonum virginianum, in the Asteracea.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164514243
Not a lifer for species, but I’ve not caught such a youngster before. This is a very young Roesel’s bush cricket. What a cutie!
Having a wonderful outing with several knowledgeable naturalists when I fell back to relieve my bladder. As I finished I noticed the plant pictured and snapped a few frames.
I rejoined the group and mentioned the find and showed some folks the image on my camera. They exclaimed “WHERE WAS IT? TAKE US THERE!” Going back I showed them the plant in real life. After ooohing and aww-ing and conferring they agreed with iNat “Twayblade Orchid” and Liparis liliifolia. Another lifer for me and I was awarded “Find of the day” for our little group!
Probably this guy, he was the only one that sat still long enough to get a solid picture. Tbf its a very nice patch of moss
I truly am elated with this one, I just found my first lace bug! And I stumbled upon it at a gas station of all places! I had no idea just how tiny they were in person. I wonder how many I’ve walked by without even noticing…
We get them in our garden in the summer. Sometimes, they rock back-and-forth, just like leaves in the wind. I think it’s a form of camouflage. Whatever it is, it’s really cute! Congrats on the lifer!
“I wonder how many I’ve walked by without even noticing…”
There are so many tiny bugs that are so cool and so easy to miss.
I know Extatosoma will do that and its likely to help them blend with leaves swaying in the wind
Thank you! :)
I’ve been reminded of that fact quite often since I started iNatting! I had no idea something so small could be so intricately detailed. I definitely have more appreciation for that now. Nature is amazing like that!
I got two this week, both herps! My favorite was this gorgeous Marble-faced Delma, only the second individual observed in Western Australia!
The other was a type of Burrowing Frog, Neobatrachus albipes
Also got my first bird lifer for this year which was nice
Was pleased to have seen this wasp: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/161494376
I have more pictures on my instragram post (https://www.instagram.com/p/CsbZ9hmgjb9/), along with a (relatable?) story on how I tried to get these photos. But it basically involved me trying to read a book and side-eyeing the nest location simultaneously.
Participated in a bioblitz this weekend. 232 observations yesterday from ~400 photos taken on phone and camera. 73 “life firsts” on the calendar view and more to come as stuff is identified. My favorite is this crane fly that is currently the only digital record for New Mexico! (Or, knock on wood, the Rocky Mountain population is an isolated, undescribed species.) Bittacomorpha clavipes (Eastern Phantom Crane Fly) by Elliott Gordon · iNaturalist
