Leafhead's Profile

Eastern Tailed Blue posing for a shot Monarch lower left, Red Admiral upper right

FrankD comments on Jul 26, 2018:

Man,be careful out there!!

Leafhead replies on Jul 27, 2018:

It's a jungle! LOL

Fun action shots Monarch Red Admiral Monarch Monarch and Red Admiral Eastern Tailed Blue

bigpawbullets comments on Jul 26, 2018:

Great pictures! We can hardly ever get them with wings open.

Leafhead replies on Jul 26, 2018:

Try shooting on a cool sunny day when they aren't as active and full out basking.

Eclosure, noun.

McVinegar comments on Jul 26, 2018:

Mothra! ;)

Leafhead replies on Jul 26, 2018:

Bingo!

Fun action shots Monarch Red Admiral Monarch Monarch and Red Admiral Eastern Tailed Blue

Cast1es comments on Jul 26, 2018:

Wish you could capture their images , with their wings spread .

Leafhead replies on Jul 26, 2018:

Occasionally I get really lucky. Cool mornings or after a rain while they're basking are best

Eastern Tailed Blue posing for a shot Monarch lower left, Red Admiral upper right

OpposingOpposum comments on Jul 26, 2018:

Your butterfly photos make me smile. Thank you.

Leafhead replies on Jul 26, 2018:

Thank you :)

Wednesday Walkabout: Snowball Hydrangea up close and personal.

Leafhead comments on Jul 26, 2018:

#4 Not an Allium but an Echinops, or Globe Thistle. Close relative of thistles and artichokes. Allium are closer to onions and garlic

Leafhead replies on Jul 26, 2018:

@Lincoln55 Both are terrific for bees and other pollinators. Globe Thistle is a host plant for the Painted Lady Butterfly

Got Milkweed?

SukiSue comments on Jul 26, 2018:

Gotta feed the monarchs! We have whole fields! Or is this a trick question?

Leafhead replies on Jul 26, 2018:

Glad you feel that way. Keep up the good work :)

Got Milkweed?

Livinlife comments on Jul 26, 2018:

I can't see it

Leafhead replies on Jul 26, 2018:

See what? The comment?

Red Admiral on Coneflower

Lincoln55 comments on Jul 25, 2018:

I love coneflowers as well. Nice shots

Leafhead replies on Jul 26, 2018:

Thanx

Why don't Scandinavian men get circumcised?

Leafhead comments on Jul 23, 2018:

No wonder I don't like Ludafisk!!!

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

@Lop-Eared-Mule I believe it. Is it true that Luafisk is Scandinavian for Yank-it Blanket?

Can anyone help me identify this wildflower?

Alvingo1 comments on Jul 24, 2018:

It's commonly known as the Mexican Hat wildflower... https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=raco3

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

@Jonado Being annuals, it is possible to be across the US, I guess. They overwinter as seeds. I never thought about them outside the MW, since they're so unique looking

Milkweed's worst nightmare

AmelieMatisse comments on Jul 25, 2018:

Oohhhh I have such an aversion to fuzzy creepy things.

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

@Jonado :( Sad for your loss... I had to relinquish mine when I moved north. I was staying with family temporarily and there were too many heebie jeebies to be had. I still have the hair stand up on my neck when I see a Northern Wolf Spider (more wolf than spider!), but I don't see a lot of those in the Burbs. Daddy Long Legs are cute

Can anyone help me identify this wildflower?

Alvingo1 comments on Jul 24, 2018:

It's commonly known as the Mexican Hat wildflower... https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=raco3

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

@Jonado Radibia is the genus name for this plant

My sentiments exactly!

Leafhead comments on Jul 25, 2018:

For that matter, why aren't alcohol and nicotine on drug tests?

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

@Wurlitzer I am staunchly anti smoking but i know it's a personal choice. I can respect that. And I think it is over the line testing for nicotine (and weed) and making everyone walk to Timbuktu to grab a smoke on a 15 minute break. Smoking should be discouraged, and those who wish to quit need all our support. But these stupid, invasive strong arm tactics just won't work. That goes for drug testing too

Can anyone help me identify this wildflower?

Alvingo1 comments on Jul 24, 2018:

It's commonly known as the Mexican Hat wildflower... https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=raco3

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

@Jonado Radibia in Texas? We have it here in WI prairies. I wonder if these are different species?

Milkweed's worst nightmare

AmelieMatisse comments on Jul 25, 2018:

Oohhhh I have such an aversion to fuzzy creepy things.

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

@AmelieMatisse Hopefully with some gentle exposure you can overcome your fear. As a borderline arachniphobe, I feel your pain. I solved my fear of spiders by buying tiny baby tarantulas and watching them grow. The old frog in the frying pan trick. I actually got attached to them. I prescribe a butterfly garden. Butterflies are beautiful and make excellent embassidors to the insect world. Of course, since there has to be zero tolerance for pesticides (bugs are better than "drugs") you will discover a whole new planet!

Milkweed's worst nightmare

AmelieMatisse comments on Jul 25, 2018:

Oohhhh I have such an aversion to fuzzy creepy things.

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

Some pix for you...

Milkweed's worst nightmare

AmelieMatisse comments on Jul 25, 2018:

Oohhhh I have such an aversion to fuzzy creepy things.

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

They're only bugs. Bugs are necessary for the garden. They cannot hurt you. This particular species can put the hurt to Milkweed though! (I think they're pretty, as destructive as they are). And another "creepy crawly" lives on Milkweed. The caterpillar of the Monarch butterfly.

I was never one of the cool kids in school.

JenBeberstein comments on Jul 24, 2018:

Have you joined the Introverts group?

Leafhead replies on Jul 25, 2018:

Not yet

The Exorcist.

FrayedBear comments on Jul 20, 2018:

I hate to have to point this out but dont you think your parents or guardians could have more appropriately safeguarded your young mind from such misbelief? I know that close by 30 years ago a bloke murdered, with several Lutheran accomplices, his wife believing they were exhorcising her "devils". ...

Leafhead replies on Jul 24, 2018:

@FrayedBear Thanx God-free is the way to be

1. Common Grey on screen. 2. Fibber

OldGoat43 comments on Jul 23, 2018:

Fibber is a funny name for an insect. I wonder where that came from.

Leafhead replies on Jul 23, 2018:

I made it up. This is actually a wasp mimic, a harmless fly. Hence the title Fibber

Two Irishmen walk past a bar.

silverotter11 comments on Jul 23, 2018:

So the sterotypical trashing the irish joke about their drinking habits. LOL should repost to the offenders group. It's a lie btw, they'd never walk past a bar. wink wink

Leafhead replies on Jul 23, 2018:

I'm Irish. I can get away with it

My Grandaughter reckons fairies should live here .

Leafhead comments on Jul 23, 2018:

"Faeries" do love Nasturtiums. They come in the guise of Cabbage White Butterflies and others

Leafhead replies on Jul 23, 2018:

Type your comment here Milkweed is found worldwide. If the Monarch is normally found in your country, then you must have endemic Asclepias, or a very close relative

My Grandaughter reckons fairies should live here .

Leafhead comments on Jul 23, 2018:

"Faeries" do love Nasturtiums. They come in the guise of Cabbage White Butterflies and others

Leafhead replies on Jul 23, 2018:

@Hebert54 Got Milkweed?

My Grandaughter reckons fairies should live here .

Leafhead comments on Jul 23, 2018:

"Faeries" do love Nasturtiums. They come in the guise of Cabbage White Butterflies and others

Leafhead replies on Jul 23, 2018:

@Hebert54 40 billion caterpillars in the flesh. My Monarch project

My Grandaughter reckons fairies should live here .

Leafhead comments on Jul 23, 2018:

"Faeries" do love Nasturtiums. They come in the guise of Cabbage White Butterflies and others

Leafhead replies on Jul 23, 2018:

@Hebert54 The capricious little imp stage, no doubt

Brown Stink Bug nymph on leaf

gigihein comments on Jul 22, 2018:

Really nice close up. Is it on an African violet leaf. Can even see the fuzz on the leaf.

Leafhead replies on Jul 23, 2018:

Invasive honeysuckle leaf

Brown Stink Bug nymph

sweetcharlotte comments on Jul 22, 2018:

I saw some of those on my cantaloupe last night. They were in my compost eating what I didn't eat on the cantaloupe.

Leafhead replies on Jul 22, 2018:

They can be pesky on various fruits and veggies, especially beans. Young fruit is affected most adversely, often resulting in the unripe fruit blasting. And as for door yard anything, have you ever bitten into one by accident?!? Bleah! But they are a mixed blessing, being omnivorous and eating other pests as well.

Brown Stink Bug nymph on leaf

AmelieMatisse comments on Jul 22, 2018:

Great shot but I do detest those smelly things

Leafhead replies on Jul 22, 2018:

They play havoc on my orchid buds in Winter when they should be out hibernating. Most people have woes with Asian Lady birds or Box Elder Bugs getting into the house in Fall and Winter. My bugger is the Brown Stink Bug. They do little to no damage to my garden outside but suck the life out of indoor plants at their new growth. They get the bum's rush every time. Go hibernate!!

I found this little guy on the front of the building this morning.

dalefvictor comments on Jul 21, 2018:

I am amazed by the patterns on these creatures. Amazing that nature gives us such beauty.

Leafhead replies on Jul 22, 2018:

Had this been on a tree trunk I would have walked right past it.

I was never one of the cool kids in school.

Mooolah comments on Jul 22, 2018:

My dear brother, I would hold that little boy close had I been there. I am here now & hold you close in my mind. It is fortunate for the world that you are here help in protecting mother Earth form the onslaught. You are what you are thru no fault of your own. Please consider me a friend who will...

Leafhead replies on Jul 22, 2018:

Thank you from the deepest part of me. Your support is very much appreciated. I have found much solice in my little corner of the world. It is a shame that more people cannot clean up their backyards and invite Nature in. They would be better people. Better people don't vote for morons likeTrump Better people don't bully others. Better people don't soil their home and their children's home. Better people don't judge others based upon fear and superstition Better people don't molest kids. Better people aren't plastic and two faced. Better people don't lie, cheat and steal. Call me a snob, but I consider myself a better person.

What do you "think" of - Open Relationships?

Anonbene comments on Jul 22, 2018:

I'm currently trying to find another guy for my girlfriend. He must have a pick up truck, love antiqueing, lifting furniture and getting blow jobs as he drives. ?

Leafhead replies on Jul 22, 2018:

You're looking for a gay redneck?

Moth on Wall

Snickers77 comments on Jul 21, 2018:

Nature's natural camouflage. Nice pic.

Leafhead replies on Jul 21, 2018:

Thanx :)

The Exorcist.

Denker comments on Jul 21, 2018:

I had similar issues with the exorcist, I watched a chunk of it with the possessed girl on screen and it stayed with me for many years, in a negative way. I generally dislike horror films but the exorcist is a pet hate.

Leafhead replies on Jul 21, 2018:

I actually love horror flicks and the whole sci-fi genre of movies. I would stay up til 2:00 AM on weekends watching Creature Feature. Movies like The Blob and It Came From Outer Space were faves of mine because they were mildly scary. But I don't like slashers. But The Excorcist rocked my fucking world! I actually thought it was a nonfiction and immediately began to identify my loss of control as demonic. Stupid self diagnosing! I saw myself as weak, sick and damned for having let a devil in. Thank goodness those days are over, and I could watch The Excorcist and almost laugh about it

Good Saturday morning ALL! First thought of the day...Nipple nibbling!!! Breakfast in bed...

Strabo comments on Jul 21, 2018:

Drinking scotch and watching the Tour de France.

Leafhead replies on Jul 21, 2018:

Wake and Bake and watching the butterflies. Livin' the dream

We seen some varmints

dalefvictor comments on Jul 20, 2018:

Is that a horned toad, the middle pic?

Leafhead replies on Jul 20, 2018:

Horned Toads, or more accurately, Horned Lizards, are actually reptiles. You'd recognize them as lizards because they have tails and scales and toads do not. Horned Lizards live in the American SW

The Exorcist.

NJSnarky comments on Jul 20, 2018:

Sadly, children are very vulnerable to media messages ( adults too, but should be less so). Caring adults should screen what children are exposed to. How many adults forced their kids to see The Passion of the Christ? They say even Bambi is traumatic for kids (mom dies.)

Leafhead replies on Jul 20, 2018:

Ugh! I walked out in disgust of America's favorite snuff flick, The Passion! Anyone forcing their kids to see this movie should be sterilized and have their kids removed from them.

Time to bloom

Lincoln55 comments on Jul 20, 2018:

Love the colors Leaf. Very rich. I gained a few ounces just looking at this one. Got any Heliotrope?

Leafhead replies on Jul 20, 2018:

Not yet

I can take a long time to cum.

Leafhead comments on Jul 20, 2018:

Cymbalta does indeed dampen the libido in a big way. I am a man who could cum repeatedly and stay hard for hours, until they put me on Cymbalta. It took away 90% of my drive and I could not get or stay very hard. It took a year to kick with horrendous withdrawal, and I'm still not back 100%. And ...

Leafhead replies on Jul 20, 2018:

@soulless Do you have diabetic neuropathy?

The Exorcist.

FrayedBear comments on Jul 20, 2018:

I hate to have to point this out but dont you think your parents or guardians could have more appropriately safeguarded your young mind from such misbelief? I know that close by 30 years ago a bloke murdered, with several Lutheran accomplices, his wife believing they were exhorcising her "devils". ...

Leafhead replies on Jul 20, 2018:

@FrayedBear Thanx. It wasn't easy, but I think I am over the worst. I am happier as an adult than I ever was as a child, and getting better by the day. I had to outgrow a lot of bullshit in my life, and fear was one of those things. Self loathing and self medicating were some other major obstacles in my youth, and I was an unlikable bitter ass. Believe it or not, it was xianity that helped me thru this, or moreover, the congregation itself. They are a great bunch. Non judging and all accepting. You know how big Xian are on forgiveness? Well, turns out it really works. But, soon I found myself outgrowing this form of spiritual rehabilitation, and now I'm a happy, god free, baggage free atheist.

The Exorcist.

FrayedBear comments on Jul 20, 2018:

I hate to have to point this out but dont you think your parents or guardians could have more appropriately safeguarded your young mind from such misbelief? I know that close by 30 years ago a bloke murdered, with several Lutheran accomplices, his wife believing they were exhorcising her "devils". ...

Leafhead replies on Jul 20, 2018:

I admit that my parents were both alcoholics and they were not observant of anything going on around them outside of the constant party atmosphere. I still have particular resentment towards my stepmother. And you could have held my dad up thru the mail he was so unnoticing and naive.

Some shots from around the garden 1.

Insectra comments on Jul 19, 2018:

Not a great spangled fritillary?

Leafhead replies on Jul 20, 2018:

Not sure. Looked a bit small, but it might have been

Into minor kink with some fetishes that makes me rock hard Nothing too weird but different, safe ...

zorialoki comments on Jul 19, 2018:

Do you have any idea of what those might be?

Leafhead replies on Jul 19, 2018:

@zorialoki I have fantasized that very scenario, but have been reluctant to broach it with a partner. I usually break the ice by sharing a toke. That arouses me enormously. I like the doctor/patient scenario. Wanna play doctor?

My garden in action today Sphex wasp on Gooseneck Skipper on Verbena Tawny Emperor on feeder ...

AmiSue comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Yikes! The wasp just freaks me out. So dramatic looking.

Leafhead replies on Jul 19, 2018:

@bigpawbullets I can still hear it's ear splitting scream. My fave was the giant amoeba with the police light on top. My brother and I used to laugh all thru that old chestnut.

Into minor kink with some fetishes that makes me rock hard Nothing too weird but different, safe ...

zorialoki comments on Jul 19, 2018:

Do you have any idea of what those might be?

Leafhead replies on Jul 19, 2018:

I love to kiss in a colorful fashion. I love sharing breath with my partner. Gets me going. I love beards. I like to bite blanket binding, though this is more of a non sexual activity. I am a top gay male who likes (not too rough) nipple play and anal. I basically like to kiss and screw

Where is that melon I was going to have for breakfast?! Dammit.

Leafhead comments on Jul 19, 2018:

I love his setup ;)

Leafhead replies on Jul 19, 2018:

@AmiSue reminds me of my Rary. I bought it and fed it, and it outgrew it's cage. So I put it in a big cage outside and fed it again. It outgrew the big cage, and so I kept it in the backyard. I fed it again, and it grew to the size of a cow! So I took it to this cliff and was ready to tip it over, when it turned and looked at me with big puppy eyes. Then I realized It's a long way to tip a Rary. I still have it today.

A flower grows in its own way.

Leafhead comments on Jul 19, 2018:

Fact is: There is fierce competition among plants. For light, water, etc. Sorry to burst your bubble

Leafhead replies on Jul 19, 2018:

@BettyColeman Sorry for the Vulcan response, but I'm a realist. I thrive in Nature, with its glory and it's sorrow alike. The loss of 99 caterpillars makes that 1 butterfly all the more precious. One of my many survivors this year. It's been a good year for Monarchs after a steep plummet in numbers. It's all thanks to people chipping in. Got Milkweed? Cheers, and good vibes

My garden in action today Sphex wasp on Gooseneck Skipper on Verbena Tawny Emperor on feeder ...

AmiSue comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Yikes! The wasp just freaks me out. So dramatic looking.

Leafhead replies on Jul 19, 2018:

@bigpawbullets Angry Red Planet??

My garden in action today Sphex wasp on Gooseneck Skipper on Verbena Tawny Emperor on feeder ...

Cast1es comments on Jul 18, 2018:

You seem to be more interested in the bugs , than in the plants .

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

@bigpawbullets Ditto

Insectra, you may know this one...

Insectra comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Any yellow on it at all? It looks like a Spilosoma sp., but they're hard for me to tell apart.

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

@Insectra Thanx :)

My garden in action today Sphex wasp on Gooseneck Skipper on Verbena Tawny Emperor on feeder ...

MissKathleen comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Nice shots! Thanks for always sharing.

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

You bet! More to come

My garden in action today Sphex wasp on Gooseneck Skipper on Verbena Tawny Emperor on feeder ...

egyptrican comments on Jul 18, 2018:

You got great pics!

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

Thanx! I got great models

My garden in action today Sphex wasp on Gooseneck Skipper on Verbena Tawny Emperor on feeder ...

AmiSue comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Yikes! The wasp just freaks me out. So dramatic looking.

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

She's completely nonaggressive, and incapable of less than a bee sting. She is reluctant to waste venom on defense better used on prey. Sphex is solitary and does not defend her nest the way hornets do

Pretty white moth

Hathacat comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Cruella de Moth Splendid moth

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

LMAO!

Skipper on Verbena bonariensis, my favorite annual

Lincoln55 comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Love Verbena. Find it growing wild in ditches and roadsides throughout Georgia.

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

@Lincoln55 Thanx

@Leafhead, I've got an ID request for you. Eyed brown or pearly eye?

Leafhead comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Northern Pearly Eye

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

@Insectra You're very welcome Good catch :)

Skipper on Verbena bonariensis, my favorite annual

Lincoln55 comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Love Verbena. Find it growing wild in ditches and roadsides throughout Georgia.

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

As lovable as it is, it is invasive in most of the US. I personally don't mind anything that brings so many butterflies. Here in WI, it is under control due to our winters. Verbena, Cosmos, Black and Blue Salvia and Mexican Sunflower are the only annuals I bother with. They are rich in nectar, whereas most annuals are meh. I grow mostly native perennials

Insectra, you may know this one...

Insectra comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Any yellow on it at all? It looks like a Spilosoma sp., but they're hard for me to tell apart.

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

@Insectra Go right ahead

Pretty white moth

OldGoat43 comments on Jul 18, 2018:

I found a moth similar to this one but it was yellow with a pink fuzz. I'll attach the photo.

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

Pretty

Insectra, you may know this one...

Insectra comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Any yellow on it at all? It looks like a Spilosoma sp., but they're hard for me to tell apart.

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

Pure white, with black dots. Could it be a Milkweed Tussock Moth? It was near some Swamp Milkweed. I really don't care to have those little buggers crawling everywhere and devastating my Milkweed

Some critters around the house Unknown moth (Geometrid?

Mooolah comments on Jul 18, 2018:

Smash the gypsy moth post haste

Leafhead replies on Jul 18, 2018:

Done

Some of yesterday's festivities 1&2, Monarch on Asclepias sullivantii, an uncommon Milkweed ...

Insectra comments on Jul 17, 2018:

I had to Google A. sullivantii. What a nice looking plant! Is that native where you are or are you just cultivating it for a butterfly garden?

Leafhead replies on Jul 17, 2018:

They are rare natives. I ordered three plants BR thru the mail and one made it

Katydid on feeder

dede18 comments on Jul 16, 2018:

ugh! just looking at that thing gives me the heebiejeebies ... shudder! and why does it have such a cute name?

Leafhead replies on Jul 17, 2018:

Here's Sphex to the rescue! She will sting it, drag it into a hole and feed it to her larva. No worries!

We got our first bloom on our Strawberry tree. And a beautiful butterfly.

Alvinsmama comments on Jul 16, 2018:

That is really a beautiful butterfly. And, what is a strawberry tree?

Leafhead replies on Jul 17, 2018:

@Donto101 I remember when the only one was at the Broward Cty Extention Ctr in Davie, Florida. It was quite a novelty and I loved it

Katydid on feeder

Lincoln55 comments on Jul 16, 2018:

I think Katy's been framed. I think it was her sister MaryAnn did it.

Leafhead replies on Jul 17, 2018:

I thought it was Mary Jane lol

This one posed perfectly for me, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Male

Lincoln55 comments on Jul 15, 2018:

They are so vain