Update about blog

At the La Plata County offices in Durango CO

Thursday, October 22, 2026

The colors of the holiday (Halloween/Samhain)

 



Thanks to fellow blogger!




Box Elder Bugs...not this many, but I've got a swarm of them inside the screen/window glass. Ugh. I want to open windows, but don't want them flying into the apartment. I've had them about a week...and hope their season of living in the walls on the 4th floor of a concrete building is almost over.

No, I can't spray with insecticide, since I can't breath those chemicals.

With rain instead of sun they have disappeared, for now.

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Night shot of Cortez with Sleeping  Ute Mountain in the distance. 

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Would love help identifying the bird at the top of the phone pole...black with a white ring around his neck, and some pink/orange on his underbelly, but a white chest.


He was acting like a woodpecker by pecking at the wood of the phone  pole.

Sorry, - iPhone at 5x magnification, then cropped. 

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My heart is moved by all I cannot save: so much has been destroyed. I have to cast my lot with those who age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world.

ADRIENNE RICH






12 comments:

  1. Love the Halloween tree. We see lots of stink bugs this time of year!
    I think your bird could be the Lewis's Woodpecker.
    Take care, have a happy Thursday!

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    1. Oh yes, I remember removing many stink bugs from inside my NC apartment. Thanks for bird I.D. I kind of was thinking that as well. Yesterday he tried to put an acorn into a hole on the side of the pole...I didn't know this was that kind of woodpecker which I'd read about.

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  2. I haven’t seen an actual Halloween tree.

    I don’t think we have dedicated ballot boxes here.

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    1. It does take someone with imagination to decorate one!

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  3. Box Elder Bugs are a seasonal treat to enjoy!

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    1. Right. I know at least one has come inside...and they are good at avoiding being captured! Treat? Mmmm, not really!

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  4. That's a very fine Halloween tree display indeed!

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    1. I was surprised to find it, and delighted at the idea!

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  5. Box bugs look like jewelry ! Gather them, put them in tupperware, string them and look mighty fancy wearing them...nevermind your children saying that you have gone too far and need a "special" home.

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    1. Ha ha...you are decidedly weird (and I mean that in a good way!) These days everyone is pasting spiders everywhere!

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  6. Seems like there could be something you could do to dissuade those bugs from congregating. Sprinkling salt on them? A spray of vinegar and water?
    Probably just time and patience will take care of it.

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  7. Box elder bugs are easily caught if they get inside. I think they're in a nymph stage but don't quote me. I know they look different after a bit. We've had them here but this year it's a variety of lady bug (not native) that has found a way in between our windows and storm windows.

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Please let me know what you're thinking. I'm mostly over on the other blog these days...Life in Durango.