HEAVENLY HIKES IN THE MOUNTAIN AIR
I work hard, I mean really hard. I’m talking from sunrise until I drop at night. When I’m on the road though, I try to make it a point to stop and smell the roses, or in this case the red rocks. The Colorado air, so dry and not humid like what I’m used to in Florida, invigorates me to no end. I ignore the lightheadedness from the altitude and I am in absolute heaven in the mountain air.
While on the way to the Breckenridge Art Festival I had the time to do a bit of hiking in Colorado Springs. It was heaven. Here are some photos from Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon and Columbine Trail.
“This species of Pleasing Fungus beetle is found in the mountains of select western states. The higher elevation sustains a different ecosystem compared to lower altitudes, and this insect takes advantage of the rotting wood found on the mountainsides. Its steely gray elytra (wing coverings) are speckled with black dimples much like the small depressions seen on golf balls. Its head, pronotum, and legs are black.
As its name suggests, the Pleasing Fungus Beetle enjoys fungus as a food source. It is often spotted walking around, on, or under rotted logs, tree trunks, and branches. A female even lays her fertilized eggs on fungus. When larvae hatch, they stay on that fungus and eat it. Larvae look very different from adults. They are more worm-like with spiky fringe around the edges of their black and white tubular bodies. They molt several times leaving behind exoskeleton 'skins'. When ready to pupate, they hang onto the last 'skin'. Look for these discarded remnants under logs or branches where adults are seen; they tend to stay relatively close to offspring and younger beetles despite being in different life stages.
This beetle is most active in the summer and can be found in forests, along creeks and streams, or in wooded canyons, especially in areas with moisture, which is helpful for fungal growth. “ - Insect Identification
Pleasing Fungus Beetle in Colorado