
Lots of rain, but we all fit in the pop-up and played pitch until 11:00. (Men won but women made a strong comeback). Breakfast and then on the trail!
I forgot that I took three pictures with the idea of photostitching them together. I have many things I want to get done today, but here is what I have been doing instead.
The Sand Dunes National Park is a unique place to visit, especially sitting at the bottom of the Santa de Cristo mountain range. There was a storm moving in which made a unique lighting opportunity. In order to get a scale, they were at least a half mile—maybe closer to a mile from where these pictures were taken.
Or, by including the foreground, here is a more scary view.
This is a Wheel Bug. For some strange reason these ugly little guys liked to sit on mailboxes. I took this picture in 2006 and wrote about them here.
Chip, our neighbor, friend and Monarch Watch Director at KU is looking for these bugs. Monarch Watch is having an open house Saturday and he wants unusual (he must mean ugly) insects to put on display.
Last year we came across this scene on our front Rose of Sharon
At that time, Chip told us these are wheel bug nymphs. I think they did not make it to maturity due to a “oil spill.” Now Chip wants these bugs and they are no where to be found. Thinking Rose of Sharon might be a sought after host for babies, we looked all around. Nothing. I’m sure Chip will come up with one or two on his own. I can’t say I’m too disappointed we can’t help him out.
By the way, I highly recommend attending the Monarch Watch Open House. There are all kinds of things to see, most importantly lots of Monarch butterflies. Here are details.