Horror! This reminds me of the Wildebeest episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom that we watched every Sunday evening at Oma’s and Aunt Bernice’s! My sister and I had nightmares for years about paracitic flies nesting in the beest’s noses and then the maggots infesting the beest’s brains.
2 Likes
I must have missed that episode but I remember seeing them held by hyaena or African wild dogs and eaten - quite literally - on the hood. But maggots burrowing into thei brains sounds much worse. Did you ask for bee keeping hoods?
2 Likes
There have been some similar stories in the last couple of years about moose infected with brainworm. Flashbacks every time.
Brainworm starts about 1:00
2 Likes
Slogging back a ways can be really rewarding.
1 Like
Poor things are no where near their mighty, belligerent selves. Didn’t know about the brain worms but I knew about the ticks and I’m pretty sure Alaska’s state bird the mosquito drains them and caribou even further now that winters are relatively milder.
2 Likes
Our old PR slogan was, “Come to Michigan.”
Plan for July or August, so it’s as hot as it’s going to get, and head straight for the U.P. (Upper Peninsula). There’s great stuff elsewhere, too, but the UP is remotest. I think you might have some real fun on the North Country Trail along the south side of Lake Superior:
This has got to be part of heaven.
But read ahead. If you’re camping, though, be prepared for bears and bobcats.
2 Likes
Is it true that small pets and children have actually been carried away by mosquitos the size of bats?
2 Likes
Yes. Our mosquitos are formidable. The UP also has a nice variety of biting flies.
Swarms of them.
Biblical plague proporations.
2 Likes
Not sure if the species. The centipede I think is the blue one. I think it’s the Hemiscolopendra marginata. Very pretty. One of the prettiest centipedes I’ve seen. Bluish tint to its body with blue specks at the tips of its legs.
Not sure of the species of beetle larvae.
6 Likes
I’m pretty sure that’s an oxymoron. But I like the skink! (And probably the beetle. ; - )
1 Like
Is that a skink with the beautiful blue color? You do find the coolest stuff.
At the end of a busy day I caught a glimpse of the sun shining through clouds to light up the flowers and foliage of the Acacia cognata draped over my back gate and redwood beyond. We have more rain on the way with high wind and cooler temperatures. Hopefully everyone in line for blizzards today can stay safe and cozy.
3 Likes
I’m not positive if it is a five lined skink or a six lined runner. From the time I saw it, took the pic and it vanished was about 2 seconds lol. I already had my
Camera out taking pics as I was peeling back bark.
3 Likes
How dare you, sir! Take it back. 
3 Likes
Ha! 
(But I love pseudoscorpions. ; - )
2 Likes
There are a lot of chordatists in the world. No love for the spineless.
1 Like
When my wife and I were at the grocery store last week, she suggested we buy some tulips to keep me occupied photographically. So we did and I was
.
6 Likes
Nice! 
1 Like
Pretty sure it’s the same species of slug as last time. Looks the same in the same basic area. They are quite slimy. After handling them, I go the store and touch all the meat and hunting products though…… before I wash my hands. Ehh.
It’s really relaxing going to this spot. It’s about a two mile walk with no vehicle access except for those who work at the park. During Covid when everything was locked down, I would hike to this spot and just chill all day. Even with friends and we would just sit 6+ feet apart in a circle and talk.
1 Like
The slug looks like a Philomycus, and the slime color is the same, so it probably is conspecific.
3 Likes