Araneus Diadematus. Commonly called a Cross Orbweaver or European Garden Spider. They were introduced into the United States long ago. A very benign and beneficial creature.

Orbweavers and Micrathenas just LOVE building their webs across the middle of a trail.

I spoke with a (very inebriated) friend who got the same storm a bit earlier than us, and he heard it too. He said numerous neighbors were outside thinking it to be a plane circling the area. Although his description of the science was pretty terrible, he’ll chase storms for lightning photos occasionally and it was something known to him. I was able to use his poor description to find a well worded scientific description by an actual meteorologist here. I spoke with another friend who got a sibling of my storm a few hours later. He heard it as well, but it’s apparently not all that rare in his area.

I’m 50 years old, and it’s the first time I have ever noticed it. It was really odd. Our standard thunder claps once then devolves into silence after 10s max before more is created again a minute later. If you’ve ever heard a US C-130 cargo plane (or large equivalent) running maneuvers real low to the ground, it sounded like that close engine noise, but almost frozen in it’s location as though it were capable of hovering. Just a constant low frequency rumble for over a half of an hour. It was loud like active thunder without any break at all.

Knowing it’s a real science thing makes it much less unnerving. Yeah. Much, much, MUCH less unnerving.

Update: Apparently, it’s called ‘Continuous Thunder’ or ‘Rolling Thunder’, nor am I the only one to notice it with these cells. First time experiencing it. Was very odd.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

There are Black, Western, Pale and Two-Tailed varieties of Tiger Swallowtails as well. It’s a busy lil club.

I could see a hover fly. Was just curious.

And I heard all about that Enzyme guy too. He likes to start things.

Do you know the insect it is playing host to?

Very pretty. Thanks for posting her.

Thanks for the plant finder. There were clearly a few things missing from the list, but it was correct in the results that showed as I was familiar with most. Over half are growing up there right now, though not so well. It’s just a rough patch of property.

I went with a lawn grass that is drought and shade resistant. I pick up our 150lb mulch mower and carry it up the hill manually. It’s awful and brutal, but the back can endure it so far. The first patch got mowed last Saturday at it’s 30 day mark, and looks fan-fuggin-tastic. Have to see how it holds when the dry season hits. We got skimped on our rain last week, and everything started drying out. I had to lug 45 gallons of water up the hill manually to water the new patch with a watering can.

I came down from the hill at about 3:15am listening to the American Robins sing their song and the Northern Cardinals calling out their territories. Occasionally, a wood thrush could be heard. It was nice, and I wanted to stay, but I wanted coffee too…

We have a few Eastern Barred Owls that live somewhere on the plateau. I haven’t found their roost yet, but I see them a lot. I did not hear them last night to fix a location.

No clover. Too shady, but I did look into it. Had to go with a shade/drought tolerant grass. I planted shade wildflowers and they just germinated. If the deer don’t eat them, I might just plant them these here two bags of cereal rye in return.

Actually, our house stands apart on our street for the very reasons you describe. We’re those weirdos too. Lotta stone. Lotta stumps. Lotta plant life. Lotta natural. No pesticides. Nice to meet you. Grats on your grant. That would be pretty cool.

I’m just west of Pittsburgh, PA. I sure do hope that’s all it is. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed it until I did not hear it last night. Honestly, I remember having crickets before school would let out for the summer. We’d usually do a camp out before school ended and everyone went on vacation.

Been seeing a lot of birds. Lot of spiders. Tons of ants. and a metric ton of chipmonks. (They ate my catnip, by the way). Insects in general are down, but not gone. Scorpion flies just came out. I did see a male and a female within the last week just chilling out on some American Jumpseed.

I didn’t think bugs were considered animals, but I do stand corrected. Bugs are animals.

Sad to hear… The extinction event I mean… Not the taxonomy thing.

I did enjoy it. Thanks for posting it. I’m considering bringing Tool - Aenima up with me tonight just to put on Disgustipated for the 20 minutes of crickets. I know the affinity of a good cricket song.

Well, crickets are insects, and tree frogs are amphibians, but you’re saying this is a world-wide thing?

My guess will be strawberry.

Every great quinzhee dies, but did it get to live?

To wrap up the thread, I include a nice melting shot. It really does put the sheer size of it into a perspective. It turns out, one of the last features to melt was the block out where I had the refrigerator, just behind my ballcap and sunglasses.

Thanks for stopping by.

Update: Weather is going to get sunny and warmer, so my Quinzhee (not igloo) will probably be unenergized tomorrow.

10/10 - Fridge

I was able to screenshot the fridge out of a video I made for a personal friend. This morning, I had to remove the drinks from the fridge. The hollow slumped down and impaled itself on the cherry cokes. I took one to work with me. It was definitely ice cold.

Ah! Do it. If you can that is. Today is the last day of our bitter cold in Pittsburgh. Looking like mostly 40’s over the next week. Other than the sore back, frostbit hands, chapped lips and a left leg that no longer wants to go down steps, I’m totally thrilled with my decision.

And thanks for correcting me too. I’m onboard. Quinzhee is a far more accurate term for my construct than igloo.

I’m glad you enjoyed it. I can try to send some snow west. As I live near the interstate, I’ll throw snowballs at westbound traffic just for you. Some of it’s bound to make it.

At fifty years old, I’ve only ever seen (2) snow events that were bigger than this one. It occurred to me that this could be the last time I got this chance and I had to make the pile anyways sooo.

In lieu of voyeurism, send electric heating pads. Mine has just broken. Right now. As I typed this. Shit. The legendary spasms might continue… All night…