Beware the assassin...

Some of you know that I have a special soft spot for Assassin Bugs - they are so groovy with their striped legs and they chow down on so many pest insects in the garden.  Of course, if handled, they'll be happy to stab you with their "stinger" which I understand can be quite painful (not planning to find out, thank you.)  Usually I find the bright yellow Sycamore Assassins in the garden so when I came across this guy I wasn't quite sure what it was.  Some research (thanks Google and BugGuide.net) and I learned that it is Pselliopus cinctus, Assissin Bug.  

Now, if you look closely, you may be able to see that our little assassin has a tiny insect at the end of his stinger-thingy.  I was unable to even see it with the naked eye and can only guess that it is some sort of small gnat.  Whatever, it was gone in short order, sucked dry.  

I'm not all that happy with the focus on this shot, but until I learn how to stack my macro images, this is the result.  The DOF with macro lenses makes it really tough to get something like an insect perfectly focused.

Papa wren is still singing and now working diligently on a second nest.  Never mind that he doesn't have a mate...  Otherwise, the garden was hopping with interesting insect life and I've posted  three other shots starting HERE on Flickr.  And for those who are interested, the second shot is yet more Bug Porn...seriously thought about making that my blip today, but the assassin won out.  

Lunch with a dear friend today - first time we've been able to get together since I moved back so we had lots of catching up to do over poached salmon and steamed veggies.  Tomorrow (assuming I can actually get some sleep tonight) I plan to hit the trail early before the heat cranks up and hopefully find some willing yellow warblers to photograph.  Or maybe some dragons...or butterflies ...

Dinner tonight is going to be Walleye, a type of freshwater fish common in Minnesota.  Our neighbor gave us some that he'd caught and frozen on a recent fishing trip  I've never cooked this fish before, so I'm going to go simple and bake it with lemon and butter.  Some sweet potatoes and fresh asparagus and a glass of wine...  Salute!

TTFN