What is Slugyard?

Slugyard is a window to the world around you. Most of these photos were taken from in or around my yard. I hope they encourage you and your family to pay more attention to the world outside your door.

NORTHWEST NATURE BLOGS

OTHER NATURE BLOGS

Bugloss with Bugs

By Mike, on May 28th, 2011
Beetle on Bugloss Flower

If you’ve seen plants blooming right now with small blue flowers, they could be forget-me-nots. But, if they are taller they are probably Evergreen Bugloss as shown above. These plants originate from Europe, and maybe they are evergreen there but here they are just perennials according to this website.

Luckily some native insects . . . → Read More and See Photos: Bugloss with Bugs

4 comments   Insects, Plants   ,  

Spit in the Rain Garden

By Mike, on May 20th, 2011
Spit on Highbush Cranberry

More insects are moving into my rain garden! See what looks like a glob of spit on my Highbush Cranberry shrub?

Moving the spit aside reveals this- a spittlebug nymph. The photo is a bit out of focus, but you can see its eyes. I posted about spittlebugs last year. I’m yet to . . . → Read More and See Photos: Spit in the Rain Garden

3 comments   Insects, Plants   , , ,  

Rain Garden Wildlife

By Mike, on May 3rd, 2011
Beetle

As I posted about a couple of times over the last few weeks, I built this rain garden in my backyard. Two of my roof downspouts empty into it and the water fills the garden for a while before it slowly sinks into the ground. The plants are starting to grow and leaf out . . . → Read More and See Photos: Rain Garden Wildlife

10 comments   Birds, Insects, Spiders   , , , ,  

Queen Anne’s Lace and Friends

By Mike, on August 20th, 2010
tumbling flower beetle

Queen Anne’s Lace is a weed that is in full bloom right now. It is originally from Europe and Asia. Believe it or not, according to Northwest Weeds by Ronald J. Taylor this is a wild carrot! But beware- it looks a bit like Poison Hemlock which, as its name implies, is deadly if . . . → Read More and See Photos: Queen Anne’s Lace and Friends

6 comments   Insects, Plants   , ,  

Carpet Beetle Outside (thankfully)

By Mike, on July 2nd, 2010
carpet beetle

This bug with a bunch of friends was eating pollen from a daisy in our front yard. He appears to be a carpet beetle. Carpet beetles like to lay their eggs inside houses and then the larvae hatch and eat…you guessed it…carpeting (or other fabrics or old living material inside). Luckily, we have no . . . → Read More and See Photos: Carpet Beetle Outside (thankfully)

Leave a comment   Insects   ,  

Ladybug Taking Care of My Roses

By Mike, on June 11th, 2010
ladybird with food

This ladybug is tending to the aphids that are eating my roses. Adults can eat about 25 aphids a day which, if this little lady has some friends, ought to give the roses nothing to worry about.

There are many types of ladybugs (remember- they are a type of beetle). Since this one . . . → Read More and See Photos: Ladybug Taking Care of My Roses

One comment   Insects   , ,