the wooly bears are on the move

I had the chance to take a walk in the forest while my car was having new tires installed. It wasn't planned that the shop would be a few minutes away from the trail but in retrospect it was perfect. I saw at least 5 wooly bear caterpillars moving so fast along the trails as if they were on a very important mission. I always associate seeing them searching for old logs or stones to tuck themselves under with autumn being close at hand. It is only the middle of August!!

The striped ones had very little black on them which according to caterpillar folklore means a very mild winter. I couldn't even photograph them they were so quick but just as I gave up and decided to turn my attention to some colorful orange fungi a somewhat slower yellow wooly bear was interested in them too. Just like a scene out of Alice in Wonderland. I took Maiz's advice and put my new camera of sports mode and managed a few clear shots of the beautiful creature. It will become a virginia tiger moth one day.

 

I really thought it was going to sit on that mushroom, although a tad small, pull out a pipe and tell me a riddle or two.

   

Won't be long before the forest is ablaze in red, yellow and orange and I am dressed in my favorite corduroy jeans, hand knit woolens with moccasins on my feet. For now I will squeeze out every last bit of summer solace I can manage. 

   

Comments

[Bobbi]

Ahh! but last autumn is when I fell in love with your blog! I look forward to your descriptions of the change in the seasons:) What a cute furry little creature you've found there!

[k]

i am very much enjoying your recent nature explorations. someday i will have to visit my in-laws in ontario during the fall so i can see all the beautiful colours - we don't often get the same out here on the west coast.

[annri]

The wooly boolys' presence makes me think of autumn too, although I've yet to spot one this year... curiouser and curiouser...

Your friend is very sweet.

[Sandra Henderson]

I'll trade you a gazillion summer rocks for ONE fall/winter one! :)

[Luisa]

Love these pictures. I don't know how you do it with these cute mushrooms.

[Emily]

Reading your blog just always sets me right. I just turned in my very last assignment for my MLIS, at the University of Western Ontario, and was feeling a little manic, and a little frantic, but now I just feel like myself again. Thank you :)

[Cozy Memories]

oh boy, the photo of the orange fungi is spectacular ! I wish I could be in total sync with you, but here, changing colors hardly happens, and wearing corduroy & such won't be required until the end of next month. (sigh) But until that moment, like you said, I'll take advantage of every bit of what summer can bring. Have a lovely Saturday, my friend xoxo

[joanie]

Beautiful images. We've finally had rain so the moss is already creeping back in and small fungi are popping up here and there smiling at me. I almost never see caterpillars though, just a lot of places where they've lunched :)

[Lovely World]

You have a new, sleek look here! The bigger photos are nice. I struggle to make format changes on typepad. I have tried for larger photos and different layouts but just can't seem to do it!
Yes, enjoy these summer days. I am starting to let in thoughts of those cozy autumn days, but want to swim in the pond and river and sit in the sun a while longer!

[Kate]

We caught our first wooly bear this weekend too. (Central Kansas where the heat had been above 100 for weeks and weeks!) I was surprised to find the wooly bear so near our chickens and he was moving fast! He had the longest hairs I have ever seen on a wooly bear (and old wives tales here determine the strength of the winter by the hairs of the wooly bears!) It was the first wooly bear for my 2 yo and she thought he was magical!

[melissa]

goodness, margie, your photography is getting so good! i love these shots. keep enjoying your summertime- long may it last!

[sarahblank]

how perfect! It sure does beat sitting in an auto repair waiting room! Yes, I can not wait til autumn too. But summer is good! I am so excited about all the photos you will take (I so enjoy all of your pretty posts!)

[Stace]

Love the post! I grew up in Pennsylvania and we never picked up woolly bears with our fingers because we were always taught that they bit/stung. Our were a little 'fluffier' too... As a kid I loved the way they curled up like pill bugs when you touched them, and then you could roll them right into your Mason jar to keep overnight by your bed!