April 20, 2007 Identifying Juniper Trees

The juniper (cedar) trees are easy to identify in the late fall when the pollen from the male trees (right photo) is ready to be released into the air. The windblown pollen travels for miles and makes many central Texans miserable with alergic reactions. The female tree (left photo) has berries that are evident in the spring. The birds will eat these berries so few remain in late spring or early summer. These berries are just beginning to form.

5 Spotted Hawk Moth....(Manduca quinquemaculata)

I was watering the garden later than usual...just past sunset and I was entertained by this beautiful moth dining on volunteer petunias...It hovered carefully over each flower sucking the nectar with it's 4 inch long tongue or strawlike proboscis. It was like a little helicopter hovering carefully. I wish I had had my camera with me...I watched for some time enjoying the beauty and felt I was honored to watch and appreciated for having cared for these flowers for the moths benefit. I walked into the farmhouse and got my camera and returned but the moth was gone. I finished watering and was about to leave and the beautiful creature returned for seconds. The images were shot within 12" to 18" with the macro setting on my digital camera.