Fall Color!

Despite our unseasonably warm temperatures, fall is here and the aspen at higher elevations are changing to gorgeous colors. We took a quick drive up to Lake Sabrina and were rewarded with views of yellow, orange, red, and green patchwork on the slopes.

Fall Color Hot Spots - link to current updates by our BLM Bishop botanist

Speaking of color, we came across this impressive wasp while walking down the street in town. Best I can tell, it's Chlorion aerarium (Sphecidae), or steel-blue cricket hunter. Certainly the genus is at least correct, since she's carrying a cricket! Like the tarantula hawk I've posted a picture of previously, she'll place the paralyzed cricket in a burrow and lay an egg on it. When the larva hatches, it will feed on the still-living cricket. Creepy! The adults only feed on sap or nectar, but can give a painful sting.