Landed in front of me on Eriogonum fasciculatum seed cluster and thought it was a walking stick insect!
Body was less than a centimetre across.
On Frankenia salina
A tumble, a rumble, a party of three! I kept taking photos inside the Calystegia macrostegia flower until the commotion stopped. Perhaps two males and a female?
Tiny wasp observed on Eriophyllum confertiflorum. Going by Computer Vision top choice but none recorded in iNat in San Diego county. Reviewed a few obs from LA and they are close
Observed in a Sidalcia sparcifolia flower. I came across Osmia lignaria ssp. propinqua in iNat but only four recorded in SD county. (Spider mite in #8 is incidental as it never shows up in any other photo.)
Observed same two days ago but individual skittish. Returned to location and was fortunate to observe again for a variety of closeups.
Original observation https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/201509065
Small bee flying fast and low to the ground, weaving in and out low grasses.
I had just seen a Callophrys dumetorum (Lotus hairstreak) 10 minutes earlier in this immediate area and while on trail, saw two butterflies fly by me in a tumble and then separate with a Callophrys augustinus (Brown elfin) landing on a laurel sumac leaf nearby. Territorial behavior?
I was photographing male (#4 & 5) when a female (?) arrived, flicking wings for a few seconds then departed to nearby (#6 & 7).
Beautiful twig mimic caterpillar had been feeding on Malosma laurina leaf. Great camouflage.
If it was not for the green body, I would never have seen the tiniest leafhopper (approx 3 mm) resting on a copper-colored Eriogonum fasciculatum seed cluster. Observed three total on similar seed clusters within 200 yards. Successfully photographed only this one.
First noticed the bouncing white, marble-size egg sac that was attached to the end of the abdomen while this female was traveling.
Blended in well with Malosma laurina seed cluster.
One of the strangest bees I have ever observed at Mission Trails! About the size of Halictus but encrusted in a fungus or is it a cuckoo bee? What I thought were pollen baskets (growths?) have several spikes protruding. Note the growth at the bottom of the abdomen in #2). AI not helpful.
For 30 minutes, this individual circled (or patrolled?) a nearby Malosma laurina in peak bloom. It landed numerous times, mostly on the perimeter but only briefly and on several of the same plant perches. This behavior was repeated enough to get a variety of photos.
First time seeing any bee on Zeltnera venusta (California Centaury).
Party of at least five found huddled inside Calochortus splendens (splendid mariposa lily).
Villa? It was in a patch of coastal goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii)
Observed on desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides). Quite small and anytime it moved forward, it fluttered. AI named only Enchenopa but I could not find a match.
Observed on matchweed (Gutierrezia californica) while pointing out bee flies during a guided walk. Only about an inch long.
Found on a leaf of Telegraphweed (Heterotheca grandiflora).
Found on wall of Kumeyaay campground restroom.
Tiny spider observed on open ground by trail most notably because of distinctive white & gold abdomen. All photos are with a macro clip-on. Check out those pedipalps!
Found on garland daisy flower (Glebionis coronaria).
Observed on desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides). Rather hairy but iNat listed both Sphex and Prionyx. It may be neither.
I thought it was an unusual paper wasp. Impressive mimic!
Mating on Marsh fleabane (Pluchea odorata)
Observed on underside of Arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepsis) leaf. There was a multicolored metallic shine with thick, oversized antennae. A strange little wasp!
Less than 1/8”, found preening it’s feathery antennae on Hooker’s evening primrose (Oenathera elata) - click beetle?
Could be C. castaneus or C. leucomelas, perhaps? Found on new growth at stem tip of arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepsis)
Possibly S. occidentalis? Observing ants with my macro lens on a wooden fence that borders the trail.
It had me fooled at first but behavior was different. Whenever ants were nearby, it was always rotating to keep eyes up front at all times.
Found on stem of arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepsis)
Found on 5’ arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepsis) sapling. When in direct sunlight, shimmered in metallic copper. Recent C. bacchari obs located 75 yards away.
Could it be L. marginatum? Peeling puffball?
Seen on Fr. Serra Trail. Location approximate. Image taken with DSLR camera without GPS feature.
Aiming camera at harlequin bug when western honey bee flew into shot!
I am told by staff of MTRP that this is the only known photo of this species ever sited within MTRP. Unfortunately I did not have the GPS function turned "on" for this shot. If you trust me....,
Seen resting in trail depression on Visitor Center trail not far from rock crusher foundation.