Bring Out Your Dead!

If you have ever seen Monty Python's Holy Grail, you may recognize this post's title as a line from that movie. That scene replays in my head whenever I see this tree in bloom.

This flowering shrub is Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) or Shadbush. The flowers come out very early in spring before this tree's or any other tree's leaves come out. In the absence of leaves, these flowers really standout in the forest.

The story goes that the name Serviceberry dates back to a time when the flowers were a sign that the mountain roads were once again passable and preachers could once again hold services. This would also be a time when the ground had thawed enough to dig graves for those who passed over the winter; and funeral services could be held.

I am not sure that is the actual origin of this species' common name. But, it helps me remember it!

The not-so-golden Golden Net-Winged Beetle

While out tearing down Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), the non-native invasive shrub that has taken over the hillside, I came across this striking little beetle.

(Dictyoptera aurora)

Despite its bright red coloration, it is called a Golden-Net Winged Beetle (Dictyoptera aurora). The adults, like the one seen in the picture above, eat nectar and pollen. They are closely related to fireflies, but do not glow. Although they are rather wide-spread, this is the first one I have ever seen!