Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Thursday morning, Kim Moore and I visited Madrona Marsh Preserve in the city of Torrance CA: http://www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com/pdfs/mm-habitat-map-2014-2pgs-web.pdf
We were accompanied by a biologist and an vector insect specialist. We noted all insects observed, and attempted photography, when possible. Here are a few of my digital captures.
I will edit these images with IDs, when available from entomologists and BugGuide.net.
I intentionally darkened these images, because I digitally projected them for a presentation, which tends to wash-out color. I am interested in your opinion, if they appear too dark.

1.) Say's Stink Bug (Chlorochroa sayi), 8-mm length

(Download)

2.) Immature Grey Bird grasshopper (Schistocerca nitens), 20-mm length

(Download)

3.) Mature Grey Bird grasshopper, 50-mm length

(Download)

4.) Genus Brooksetta, a true leaf bug, 3-mm length

(Download)

5.) 'Bee Mimic' Hover fly, known as Common Oblique Syrphid (Allograpta obliqua)

(Download)

6.) A Sweat bee (Family Halictidae) and a gathering of very small beetles

(Download)

7.) An hairy tachinid fly

(Download)

8.) A predatory Ground beetle larva (Family Carabidae), found under tree bark. Notice the scythe-like pincers. 8-mm length

(Download)

9.) A wee Alfalfa Weevil (Hypera postica), 5-mm length

(Download)

10.) A Twice-struck Ladybeetle (Axion plagiatum)

(Download)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Continued.

11.) An Australian Tortoise Beetle (Trachymela sloanei), 5-mm length

(Download)

12.) Fungus or eggsac (?), about 5-mm diameter, found between loose bark & log

(Download)

13.) A lerp (silken structure) of a Red Gum Lerp Psyllid (Glycaspis brimblecombei), 3-mm diameter

(Download)

14.) A female Red Gum Lerp Psyllid (Glycaspis brimblecombei), occupant of lerp in previous image, 2-mm length

(Download)

15.) Male Slender Crab Spider (Tibellus oblongus), about 25-mm, foot-to-foot

(Download)

16.) A Red Tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

(Download)

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Fantastic set, downloads have great detail.

tinusbum Loc: east texas

all good,really like the strange ones

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

You were busy....

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

A good day! Well done.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Brilliant set Douglass. Number 12 looks a bit like a Pirate spider egg sac, on the right of it there is, what looks like, the thread from which they hang.

RWCRNC Loc: Pennsylvania

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

That is a great set Douglass. Very well done. I do not think they are too dark. I like the color, composition and sharpness. You did good my friend.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

They don't appear too dark on my monitor.

relbugman Loc: MD/FL/CA/SC

As a graduate of Kodachrome II, which in my time and place was always shot dark, your pics are perfect! I've always favored darker images with richer colors and higher contrast like these.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I have added an unusual crab spider to second post, now #15. I have also added IDs, mostly courtesy of Kim Moore.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

He is a splendid specimen too. Well done Douglass.

Dennis

relbugman Loc: MD/FL/CA/SC

Your #7 is a tachinid fly based on wing veins and antennae and many bristles. I found some somewhat similar tachinids on BugGuide, but not the same. I only go to family level in most cases, which gives general biology info for those who wish. I watched several relatives in Yucatan ranging in front of an army ant foraging pod zooming in on crickets (only!) that jumped to escape the ants, hitting them in the air and laying an egg on them. Some must have been caught by the ants, but others must escape since this was clearly a specialized hunting behavior.These are wonderful photos. Any nibbles on the orange 'fungus of eggsac'? Stumps me, too.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Thanks for the tachinid family classification. I have added it to my description.