Author: jcobble

We identified this group of birds as Cedar Waxwings on our nature walk with Dr. Belaire. However, I did not take the picture on the walk, I took this photo by the Apartment complex as it was a much closer angle and much easier to see their yellow underbellies, a key feature of the Cedar Waxwings. You can also identify these birds by what I like to call their “mini mohawks,” otherwise known as their crests. They can be found year round traveling in flocks similar to how they are all together in this tree!

Source: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/id

Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5976006

These squirrels can be seen all around campus. I may see on average at least 10-15 squirrels per day without trying to spot them. This squirrel particularly appears to be the Fox Squirrel, one of Texas’ most common squirrels. One important aspect of the Fox Squirrel is its bushy tail that can be used to keep warm, to give itself balance when running, or to open up and act as a parachute should it fall. Personally, I am not the biggest fan of squirrels just because I am afraid it will attack me if it thinks I am trying to harm it or steal its food. But I also learned observations of the tail can determine its mood. Quick, fast jerks of the tail mean the squirrel is agitated or upset, so if you spot that tail you should probably take another path!

Source: http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/easternfoxsquirrel/

Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5975805

Recently, these tiny fast-moving birds have seemed to take over the St. Edwards campus, or at least the on-campus Apartment complexes. I love to watch them glide thorough the air. I have noticed, like in the image I took, most seem to be making homes on the apartment complexes. I found out that these little birds will make mud nests on human made structures which is where the barn comes from in their name. What amazes me is that they do not seem to be afraid of humans as long as they are not disturbed. Just another creature we can live peacefully with.

Source: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Swallow/id

Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5975799

You may not recognize these bugs up close, but turn off the lights and you will know you have come across a Firefly, this one (thanks to iNaturalist) was identified as the Common Eastern Firefly. These insects have appeared recently around campus and I absolutely adore them! After conducting some minor research I found out just how and why glow bugs glow! When they breathe in oxygen, their cells combine with a substance called luciferin to produce that glow in specified organs in their abdomen. These bugs glow in order to find mates as well as act as a defense mechanism to show predators they will be unappetizing. Sidenote: If I was to ever get proposed to one day, I would want fireflies to surround us. Very unrealistic, but ideal.

Source: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly/

Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5975779

I spotted this busy bee by the RCC one day doing what bees do best, pollinate flowers which in turn helps them make honey. After some minor research, I concluded this was a Honey Bee specifically based on its appearance and the fact that it was not aggressive. The Carpenter and Bumble bees would be larger in size and the Killer bee would be more aggressive when agitated. I just try to avoid bees at all possible cost.

Source: http://pestworldforkids.org/pest-guide/bees/#Carpenter-Bees

Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5738727

I have seen these beetles all around, but never knew what they were specifically called. There are actually a wide variety of beetles found all over the world.  These particular beetles are known as June beetles. They also are called May beetles or June bugs. These insects are not harmful to humans, but they are pests to plants as their larvae eat the roots of plants causing the yellowish tint in grass. This may be why there has been a yellow patch of grass outside my window and why I always see birds trying to peck their way through the dirt.

Source: http://texasinsects.tamu.edu/bimg139.html

Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5738679

I found this unique looking insect in the field behind Teresa Hall while helping my friend take graduation photos. I was not sure at all what this bug could be, but I knew it was super cool, but not anything I wanted to be around. Thank to the iNaturalist community, I was able to identify this insect as the Giant Leaf-footed Bug. As an act of defense this bug will emit a loud noise at it flies away if approached which I experienced firsthand as I tried to approach it…. and I got the message loud and clear! Luckily, I did not experience its second method of defense which is to emit a foul odor.

Source: http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Leaf-Footed-Bug

Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5738489

These insects had been flying all over campus for a while. I always thought they were giant mosquitoes and avoid them at all possible cost because I was afraid they were carrying some disease. However, I was happy to learn that these were not mosquitoes at all but rather Crane Flies. It makes sense that these crane flies appeared when they did because we had just gotten out of a rainy period here in Austin and their larvae live in loose soil or organic matter. They are also extremely attracted to porch lights which is why I would find about 5 flying around my door every night.

Source: http://www.mosquito.org/mistaken-identities

Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5433963

 

I found this little creature on my walk home late one night. I knew it had to be a centipede or a millipede, but I had no clue what the differences between each one were. After doing some research, I figured out that this was in fact a millipede. The main identifiable factor is that the millipede has two sets of legs per segment rather than one like a centipede. There are many types of millipedes of all shapes and sizes around the world, but this one specifically in from the Family Parajulidae.

Source: https://www.orkin.com/other/centipedes/what-is-the-difference-between-centipedes-millipedes/

Observation: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5067108

This is the first observation I made. These rowdy birds were around my apartment most evenings for a while and I always wondered what they were. Some suggested they were grackles as they are very common in our area, but after doing some research I found out these birds are actually American Crows. Some notable differences are that crows are pitch black while grackles have some blueish tints in their feathers. Also, there calls are very different. Grackles produced very high-pitched sounds while crows produce sounds more like “caw-caw.”

Source: http://www.birdwatchersgeneralstore.com/CrowsGrackles.htm

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5044309