Nearly urban insect: the thread-legged bug

I was so baffled by this one at first: Stick insect? Mantis?

Nope, apparently a member of a subfamily, Emesinae, of Assassin bugs.

I always find them on the mosquito netting on our aviaries. "They are generally found in old buildings, cellars, and similar places," according to my insect guide.

Hopping in

Two frogs that have gotten into the rabbit cage lately (in addition to the one at this other post).




( Three more pictures )

Under the corn crib (where we keep the garbage).

This picture goes with this article, which is also found in this issue.

Once a village, now a forest

This weekend, Alex, Alexis and I went to Dogtown, an abandoned 19th century village that is now protected land. I love to think that given 100 years and a minimum of human destruction, that anyplace in New England could look like this.



( seven more pictures )