Welcome to today’s edition of Nature Friday. Today is day 281 in 2025 and there are 82 days left until 2026 arrives. Gosh, where has this year gone? As we always do, we’re joining our friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Wilson here with today’s mishmash edition of sights from around our neighborhood. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others posted about nature this week. Mum was grateful to find enough time in a busy week to snap a few pics, but nothing is really cohesive. Let’s get started, shall we?
Wilson: Oh Muummm. Where in the bloody heck is that woman…
The Mum: {panting out of breath} Sorry, I was preoccupied and just now realized I was running late. Sorry, House Pony. Forgive me?
Wilson: Hmm, let me think…o-kay. Just don’t make being late a regular thing, ‘kay Mum?
The Mum: Yessir. Me thinks someone is just a tad full of himself but let’s see what you’ve got.
Wilson: Well let’s open with a couple of critters who stopped by. Normally I wait until it’s fully dark to have an evening potty break, but the other night I decided to go out at dusk. I thought there might be a squirrel out there (like I always do) so I completely missed the bunny hiding in the dark foliage and low light. Mum has been saying that I’m beginning to resemble a muppet with hair in my eyes, maybe she’s right. I did not see this little guy at all, even when he moved. Mum thinks he might be our strawberry thief. He sure blends in to his surroundings, doesn’t he? If it hadn’t been for his twitching ears, she probably wouldn’t have been able to see him either because he blended in so well.
The Mum: Silly boy…didn’t you hear me whisper, “see the bunny?” You’ve got to stop being so fixated on squirrels. And speaking of squirrels… last week we shared a pic with acorns but this week I managed to capture one of the little hoodlums that usually eat them. He was raising cain for interrupting him when I walked near the Catalpa tree. Noisy little bugger.
Wilson: Well he wouldn’t be so chatty if I’d have been there, I can tell you that. Cheeky little devil.
The Mum: I’m glad you weren’t outside then. That little guy was quite the taunter and I know how that would have bothered you,. Stick to watching the bunnies, Floof.
Wilson: Sorry, can’t make that promise. He comes in my yard, there’s going to be some WWF action. But enough about him. So I see you finally found a patch of pretty leaves. Seems like autumn is continuing to take its sweet time showing up this year. What’s that all about? Most of this tree was green except for this clump of leaves.
The Mum: It’s been rare seeing the leaves change but this bright spot of color stood out nicely. Leaves have been slow to change and a good share have simply turned brown. It was another pleasant week of cooler temps with a light shower one day. The remnants of that shower showed up in a couple of pics.
Wilson: I see the tomatoes are still producing fruit.
The Mum: I have enjoyed fresh, tasty tomatoes for the past few months but to tell the truth, I’m tired of eating them twice a day just to keep up with all of the new ones ripening and have started removing flowers since it’s unlikely for them to mature before the first frost anyway. I gave away a couple of bags this week too. Next year I won’t plant multiple plants which should help. Every year is always an adventure when you garden, and I learned that there’s a limit to good things. There’ll be lots of rich organic material for next year.
Wilson: ‘Figaro’ seems to have enjoyed the moisture. The fruit is slow to ripen and with it being late in the growing season, it will be good to bring it indoors in the next few days and keep me company.
The Mum: I have so enjoyed watching ‘Figaro’ grow over the summer and think he will be a nice edition to the indoor garden as well.
Wilson: So what was that funky weird green thing we saw yesterday on one of our walks? It looked like a piece of a green leaf but then it moved and it startled me.
The Mum: Silly boy, that’s an insect known as Microcentrum rhombifolium, commonly referred to as a greater angle-winged katydid. They are widespread throughout the world except in Antarctica and live in trees and shrubs. As insects go, they’re kind of big reaching anywhere from 50–65 millimeters (2.0–2.6 in) in length and are rhombus-shaped. I usually don’t see them since they camouflage themselves nicely by looking like leaves. You generally see them in late summer and they should be considered a ‘backyard buddy’ as they prey on garden pests like aphids and do some pollination as well. While they do eat leaves, any damage is mostly negligible since they tend to move on quickly leaving little damage. They are an important segment of the food chain providing food for birds, frogs or other garden critters. Katydids are gentle bugs and harmless to humans and are not poisonous. They make a “ticking” sound with two or three syllables. “Kat-y-did, kat-y, kat-y-did” and while they have a pair of leaf-like wings, they are unable to fly.
Wilson: Hmmm, What a fascinating bug. So glad it wasn’t another toxic thing like plants you’ve focused on lately. I didn’t hear it making any noise but given that it didn’t stick around after posing for us, but I’m sure I would have liked enjoying a little tune before checking it out more closely.
The Mum: He probably would have not been impressed with your ginormous nose getting all up in his grill once he saw you investigating him. You tend to frighten off little critters.
Wilson: It no doubt due to the squirrels’ telling malicious lies about me. Critters should realize I’m a harmless floof.
The Mum: I think the squirrels have every reason to avoid you and doubt they are spreading any lies.
Wilson: {interrupting} But Mum, bugs and bunnies avoid me like the plague.
The Mum: Well, you are so much bigger than they are and it’s natural to avoid potentially threatening creatures.
Wilson: Well I mean them no harm, I just wish they’d let me get close enough to sniff them and then they’d know I could be a wonderfully fabulous friend.
The Mum: {chuckling to herself} It’s not very likely but you can always hope. So are you doing anything exciting this weekend?
Wilson: I’m meeting one of your friends who just recently moved back to Colorado from California so I’m excited about making a new friend. Other than that, I’m open for new adventures in this glorious season called autumn. We hope you have loads of fun and are able to get outside and enjoy some of the finer aspects of autumn.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
So much Nature Wilson!!! An THE Katyi=did iss speck-taculur!!! Miss Monika yore fotoss are gorgeeus purr usual!! Autumm has been furabuluss heer two!
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an (((huggiess))) BellaSita Mum
Awww, you’re too kind, thank you. We’re enjoying the cooler days.
I love the photos, especially the water drops and the colored leaves. Fall is such a pretty season.
So glad you enjoyed them, Dan. Autumn is our most favorite season especially when moisture is involved. With the temps dropping, we hope more color starts to show up.
Haha, Wilsons right, those katydids are cool backyard buddies, way better than those squirrels spreading lies! I love seeing the pics, though Figaro might scare them off with his ginormous nose. And Figaro, those tomatoes look amazing, Im almost jealous! Maybe I should start planting some next spring. Have a pawsome weekend, everyone! 🍅🐾quay random
Thanks! We have really good luck with those cherry tomatoes especially considering they thrive in a pot. Hope your weekend was pawsome.
I wished we lived closer, we’ d take some of those tomatoes off your hands!! I love fresh tomatoes but didn’t plant any. OK the bunny is adorable. I’m glad Chester isn’t around. He ignores the multiple squirrels inhabiting our yard. But one sweet little bunny and all heck breaks loose! I love the fall pics.
Thanks, It’s been a very good year for tomatoes-I have so many even eating them at lunch and dinner, there are still too many! It’s funny, Wilson pays no attention to bunnies but squirrels and he turns me into a kite! Have a great weekend.
I love seeing Katydids. They’re just cool bugs. Our weather has cooled off a bit too, 51F on our morning wak. And I’ve also noticed the tree leaves are slow to turn, often just turning brown and dropping without giving us a pretty show of color first. Maybe from such hot weather up until now?? Today I’m taking my boys to the downtown market where the city Oktoberfest is going on. My hubby leads the oompah band that plays there every year. Hope you have a good fall weekend too!
Oooh, sounds like you have a great weekend in store. Prost! 🍺
P.S. I think you may be right on why there hasn’t been a great show on leaves changing colors. Which is too bad, it’s always nice seeing the colors of October. Enjoy your weekend.
Such wonderful photographs Wilson and Monika and so good to see the fruits on Figaro continuing to ripen 😊💜 xxx
Thank you for your always kind comments, Xenia. Hope your weekend is special.
There’s so much to see on the nature trail at your place. I like what you named your fig tree.
Thanks. We make a point of looking at everything when we’re out walking even though our neighborhood is quite urban. There’s still a whole lot to see and experience nature-wise. Figaro thanks you. Have a swell weekend!
Java Bean: “Ayyy, we like bunnies here too! They are like squirrels with long ears who walk kind of funny!”
Lulu: “We have a fig tree here too outside the fence! We got a lot of figs off of it but now it is done for the year. The figs that didn’t ripen all got eaten by the birds and the coyotes.”
Java Bean: “FRUIT THIEVES!!!”
Lulu: “Well, I guess Mama and Dada don’t mind if the coyotes snack on the figs and the persimmons, which are up next on the ripening schedule …”
This is my first exposure to a fig tree. It’s funny how easily I’m entertained at this stage of life. 🤣
Beautiful photos except for the bug. 🙂 Have a nice weekend. XO
Thanks, Ellen. I found that bug fascinating to watch even if a bit disconcerting. We hope you and the kitties all have a terrific weekend.
Those are all wonderful photos Wilson and it’s super cool that you found a moving leaf!!!
Thanks Terry. I’ll bet your kitties would love that ‘moving leaf.’ It’d be like their own wind up toy! Hace a wonderful weekend.
I loves the colors, as per. And that bunny went full camo! I might have scrolled past him if y’all didn’t tip me off to his presence there. Sneaky little buggah! I think they would make more amicable yard mates with the boy than those squirrely squirrels.
I can’t make up my mind. Katydid? Or Katydidn’t?
Have a great weekend peeps
Thanks. Hahahaha! Katydid or Katydidn’t. You slay me Marco. We hope you have a fantastic weekend.
Hahaha! Glad you like that one.
Here’s to Saturday!
That katydid did a nice job of posing for a pic. I am sure The Mum and Wilson have already carved out a space for Figaro in the indoor garden, and am equally sure Figaro will appreciate the relocation. Hope the Ranch has a great weekend!
Thanks, Bruce. Yes, we’ve cleared out a nice window corner for Figaro and hope he’s happy there. We will be close to freezing next week so his time outside is short. We hope you have a terrific autumn weekend!
We get those katydids around here too, they look like moving leaf BOL!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
They are sooo fascinating. I never stepped on that guy but glad I missed. Have a swell weekend, Rosy & Sunny.
We think that creature that looks like a leaf looks a bit like those bizarre Tesla trucks, LOL, only green! We are off for a week of AKC National and Invitational. Hopefully we will have lots of fun and do well. Cooler air will be nice too. Have a good weekend!
Hahahaha…you’re right-it DOES look like a Tesla truck but the green version is much more wonderful. Those trucks are so ugly and remind me of those massive Hummers that used to be the rage. We hope you have a great weekend.
Lots of interesting things to see out there in the fall, enjoy your weekend!
Thanks, autumn is such a magical time. We hope your weekend is totally wonderful.
You’re definitely in your element this time of year, enjoy your weekend with your friend!
Many thanks, Eliza. It’ll be lovely catching up. Have a perfectly wonderful autumn weekend!
I am envious of your tomatoes. Makes me wish I lived next door. I’ve tried to grow them here, but the heat makes it impossible. Even starting them really early doesn’t seem to help. Back in California, I would sundry the romas. The figs look great. We have some neighbors with figs, and the deer usually get to them first. The katydid photo was spectacular. I hope you have a restful weekend, Monika and Wilson.
If there was a way to get them to you, we would. They have been quite tasty but I’m feeling a little like Bubba from Forrest Gump. “You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. There’s shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich.” Substitute tomato for shrimp and you might understand how I’m feeling. Even Wilson (who never turns down anything to snack on) has turned his nose up to ‘red snacks.’ LOL Enjoy your weekend!
spooky that crawling leaf :o) our figaro is way behind with ripe figs… but we still hope… happy weekend
Yes,m crawling ‘leaves’ are very scary! We hope all the figs will ripen soon, but our temps are getting cooler and today is cloudy. Next week temps in the upper 30’sF! Have a pawsome weekend. We hope your mama’s tooth is feeling better.
We have some trees changing color, but a lot are stressed from heat and drought, and they just drop all their brown leaves. Have had some frost in a few areas, we came close here, but still not yet.
We sometimes see those katydids, too. They sure are such a beautiful GREEN!
We used to grow tomatoes in pots, but not the past couple of years, too much fighting with those huge tomato worms, and only the hubby eats them, since I cannot due to the inflammatory response I get from nightshades.
Let’s hope your Figaro supplies you with some YUM!
It’s been the same here. More brown leaves than red or orange. I nearly stepped on the katydid thinking it was a green leaf. Glad he moved a bit-it saved him from getting squashed! I’ve been surprised that the tomatoes do so well in their pots. And not a single worm! I always plant marigolds with them, maybe that makes a difference. Nightshade plants can cause all sorts of havoc with arthritis and other conditions. I’m looking forward to a few figs on some oatmeal soon. 🤞🏼Have a good weekend!
So many things can be made with tomatoes! Love that leaf-lookalike bug!
Have a marvellous weekend!
It’s true but after a while with all the ones I have you get tired of so much acidic food. See my comment to John Howell. 😆 Have a great weekend!
Haha! I just turn them into salsas and tomato sauce for the year.
It’s our Thanksgiving so a nice one ahead.
Well have yourself a super Thanksgiving!
Thank you. We will be 17! Love when all of us get together. There will be missing only a few kids and some will show up a bit later.
Sounds like a fun weekend. Have a great time with family. I love this time of year for those kinds of holidays.
Yes, me too!
Oh wow! Your leaves are turning faster than ours! I can’t believe you still have tomatoes. I will have get busy and get some going next Spring. I failed to this year.
Wilson, I love Bunnies! xxoo
Trust me, I’ve got tomatoes coming out the wazoo! The leaves that are mostly turning are yellow for the most part. When I saw that orange batch, I had to take a photo if just to remember past autums! Hope you have a wagnificent autumn weekend, Carole.
Green tomato chutney is good…and easy to make.
Thanbks, for the suggestion, Helen. I just may do that. I sundried a batch of them but something a little different like a chutney just might be the ticket for this winter. Hope you and the Thugs have a great weekend.
Leaves are changing and falling like mad here…….love this season. Teddy is enjoying the heat from the heating vents all around the house – he makes his rounds every day. He is also enjoying sun naps outside. Nice you can continue growing your fig inside! We love taking walks with you and Wilson!!!!!
Hugs, Pam and Teddy too
Thanks, Pam and Teddy. It’s our favorite season but the colors in town have been somewhat disappointing but understandable given how intense the summer was. Still there’s nothing quite like a beautiful October day. Have a great weekend.
Our leaves haven’t started to turn yet. Late color this year in our area!
Does it seem as weird to you as it does to us about how slowly the leaves are turning? Hope you guys have a lovely weekend.
It does. This is Columbus day weekend. Big peeper weather and there is nothing to peep at.
Oh gosh, that’s right, I totally forgot about the holiday. Folks here will be rewarded in the high country with lots of gold but red/orange is fairly scant in the city. Hope you have a great weekend.
Love your pumpkin watercolor – gorgeous! Have a good weekend.
Thanks, Debra. Hope you have a terrific weekend.
Thank you! Off to the Airport for therapy visits today – one of Gracie’s favorite places to visit.
Have a great time and give sweet Gracie a nice ear rub from me.