Mystery solved

KellyRae was first to guess a bumblebee mimic and Jena narrowed it down. It is, indeed, a robber fly. I'm thinking it's a Southern Bee Killer, Mallophora orcina. According to Entomology Circular No. 366, 1994, honeybees make up 80% or more of its diet.

Knowing this puts me in a dilemna. I find myself kinda wanting to mash the next one I see, but I reckon I won't be able to bring myself to do that. After all, he's just doing what comes naturally. And if the honeybees weren't in such dire straits, I'd not give it a second thought. Maybe I should take a poll. Should I swat or live and let live?

Monday Morning Mystery

Southron Sunday - quotes from the WoNA

'I have fought against the people of the North because I believed they were seeking to wrest from the South its dearest rights. But I have never cherished toward them bitter or vindictive feelings, and have never seen the day when I did not pray for them.'
-- Robert E. Lee

Florida Factoid Friday

The first pottery in Florida was opened at Knox Hill, near present day DeFuniak Springs, in 1859. The pottery produced alkaline and salt glazed pottery typical of that made in the South in the early 19th Century.

Picture credit: Old Florida Pottery

Mystery solved

FC got it again. I actually thought this one would be a little harder. HA!


This volunteer showed up next to our bird feeders. I'd love to plant a whole field of them, but the ones I plant never do as well as those planted by the birds. Maybe I should just stick a few dozen feeders around the back forty. 8-]