I hadn't seen one of these "Yellow Woolly Bear" caterpillars for maybe 20-25 years, so was delighted when I spotted this one. These caterpillars grow to about 4 cm long. The first caterpillars are out by early August and last well into September. This species over-winters as pupae and, in Alberta, the very drab adults are flying in June and July.

Tags:   Alberta Canada Wildlife nature insect Spotted Tussock Moth caterpillar bug Animal Planet annkelliott P9080139 Olympus C750UZ Talkaboutwildlife.ca near Fort Calgary

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Wondering why the butterfly wasn't flying away as I approached, I realized that it had been caught by a Crab Spider who now had lunch.

Tags:   Alberta Canada Wildlife nature insect butterfly Crab Spider Gaillardia Gaillardia aristata flower yellow orange bug Animal Planet annkelliott William's Coulee south of Calgary Olympus C750UZ P6250415 Talkaboutwildlife.ca

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This beautiful Mourning Cloak Butterfly was resting and warming up on what appeared to be a popular "warming branch", conveniently below eye level. Its wings act as solar collectors, warming the blood in the wing veins.

Tags:   Calgary Alberta Canada Wildlife nature insect butterfly Mourning Cloak Brushfoot Nymphalis antiopa Animal Planet Camberwell Beauty annkelliott Olympus C750UZ PP521005 Weaselhead Talkaboutwildlife.ca

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Last summer (2005), Calgary had an invasion of Painted Lady butterflies, which happens every 10 years or so. Australia and Antarctica are the only continents that Painted Ladies do not live on.

Tags:   Calgary Alberta Canada Wildlife nature insect butterfly Painted Lady Animal Planet annkelliott Olympus C750UZ P9080038 Vanessa virginiensis Talkaboutwildlife.ca

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Tags:   Alberta Canada Wildlife nature insect butterfly orange Fritillary Animal Planet Brushfoot annkelliott Olympus C750UZ P6300041 Callippe Fritillary Speyeria callippe Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Talkaboutwildlife.ca

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