Sunday, July 6, 2008

Weekend in Red

Currents from the Grand Army Plaza farmer's market. Turned into a crisp. Eaten with vanilla icecream.

Rocket's red glare. In the drizzle atop OHS's roof.

This beetle was at Dead Horse Bay. Take a closer look.

6 comments:

Gerry Gomez Pearlberg said...

That would be a Red Milkweed Beetle. On a milkweed leaf.

Matthew said...

Many thanks, Milkweed Maven. Readers should check out your recent and past posts on the wonders of the milkweed.

Gerry Gomez Pearlberg said...

Milkweed Maven--hah!
By the way, from what I understand, in early spring, one can eat the sprouts like asparagus and fry up those milkweed flowers before they open--something you might like to try next year, as part of any spring foraging adventures you may or may not be pondering. (I know, summer's not even over yet...but one can still dream of spring, no?)

apt pupil said...

It looks a lot like "THE TREE KILLER" they describe on the B line subway. There's some horticultural monster out there called an Asian something or other beetle (reliable narrator, I know). We're asked to let some people know if we see one. But apparently someone who knows what they're talking about--and knows a bird from a bee--says it ain't the bad guy. So I won't be alarmist.

Matthew said...

The Asian Long-horned beetle is what you're thinking about. It's extremely bad news for our hardwood forests.

amarilla said...

Back to good news! I've read the fluff from the milkweed seeds makes an excellent substitute for down. Very downy, in fact. But of course you have to rob the seeds of their silky parachutes if you go this route.