I've seen more grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets this year than I have since I was a child. These have historically been my favorite insects, and it is great to look into a batch of weeds and see them hopping by the dozens.

I seem to be finding conflicting info as to the type of eggs they are, but Stink Bugs seem to be a common guess.

Of course.

Stinky or not, they sure are pretty.

Alone on tree leaves, tiny white specks kept catching my eye during a hike last week. It was simply an accident that I was looking closely enough to see one moving. I figured it was either an insect or mobile bird poo - either way, it warranted further investigation.

It wasn't until I was able to zoom in on the shot that I realized I was looking at a tiny creature carrying eggs on her back. I'm still unclear as to what species this is, but she certainly is remarkable.

While on a walk this morning, I realized I was being watched. This is pretty remarkable for me; usually when I see a fox, by time I get the camera up to my eye, she is about two counties away. This one kept a long distance from me (this shot is a significant crop from a long zoom), but she watched and watched until doggie-ing away.

It made for a fine morning.

The day may come when I see an ant and don't blurt out "Blaaah, Ants" the way Homer did "Deep Space Homer."

But that day is not today.

Glad I missed him.

A pretty couple of young mantid were hanging out in the front yard a few days ago. I like this shot; I think he is ordering an ant-daiquiri from the mantis bar.

The season has progressed to the point where I can no longer comfortably stray from the trails to track insects as the mosquitoes have claimed territory I typically like to explore. Before a hike yesterday, I used bugoff spray, but it just wasn't enough to stop the full-blown assault and I pathetically cowered to the paved bike trails (plus I really came close to wiping out in thick mud while crossing a small stream...I'm sure it looked as graceful as something that is totally not graceful).

Fortunately, insects are everywhere, and I've managed to train my eyes to see them even off the main asphalt trails. It is, admittedly, a little harder to find unique scenes and, overall, somewhat less fulfilling. But, the bites are less as the mosquitoes generally seem content to concede that ground to the lumbering humans.

Nonetheless, today has been an itchy day.

All that said, I really enjoy how the fly is holding on to the leaf in the shot above. Examine how the middle legs are strategically placed in the depression of the leaf vein.