The thought of bugs often causes an expression of dislike on the face of the person hearing about them. Many think “exterminator” immediately and in some cases, that might be necessary. This part of the Southwestern United States is home to scorpions and other nasty critters that need exterminating. But many bugs are beneficial, even beautiful, so when Donna asked what was bugging me, I took a look into the archives to look for this, that, and the other bug. I admit that I draw the line at eating bugs, despite reading about how tasty they can be!
Although our son-in-law is terrified of bees, I always love seeing them, especially as their numbers are on the decline. Bees are necessary for much of life on the earth, not just for honey, and there are many kinds of them, over 20,000 species! Outside the living room of our rental house in Naperville, Illinois, a beautiful butterfly bush grew yearly, attracting not only butterflies but other insects, including bees.
“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.” ― Henry David Thoreau
I’ve found insects to show up unexpectedly in photos when, for instance, I thought I was shooting just a flower or other plant. This fellow merited the starring role.
Dragonflies remind me of alien versions of helicopters or bi-planes. They move so quickly that it can be hard to get a good shot of one!
“Magic is seeing the wonder in nature’s every little thing, seeing how wonderful the fireflies are and how magical are the dragonflies.” — Ama H.Vanniarachchy
Butterflies, or flutter-bys as we like to call them sometimes, are always a joy. Evidently I wasn’t the only one who thought this one looked quite tasty!
“Butterflies are self propelled flowers.” ― Robert A. Heinlein
On a visit to the South Bay Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes, California, we thought this was a piece of art. as it didn’t move as I advance on it with my phone on our first visit and it was in the same place on our next trip. We looked at each other and laughed incredulously as it suddenly flew away!
“Danced and buzzed in the golden autumn light… the air was full of… glinting dragonflies shot …with gauzy wings and gleaming bodies.” — Arthur Conan Doyle
Wandering a back trail at the Riparian Preserve here in Gilbert several years ago, I found a datura plant that thoroughly entranced several bees. They danced until they were covered with pollen and I laughed out loud from the sheer beauty and joy of it.
“Where there are bees there are flowers, and wherever there are flowers there is new life and hope.”
― Christy Lefteri, The Beekeeper of Aleppo
Insects can live in all sorts of places but I love the insect houses I’ve seen, including this one at the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden.
While sitting on the deck of the Wyoming cabin, this butterfly landed on my leg. Let me tell you, trying to take a photo without scaring it away was not easy. Things only got harder when it landed on my hand. Try taking a phone photo with just one hand! It ain’t easy!!
A squadron of these damselflies flew tantalizingly within reach of my camera’s lens but often they moved too quickly for me to capture, so I was thrilled to catch five of them in one shot!!
Sex in the park and not only did I not avert my eyes, I took a photo. Does that make me a bug voyeur?
I can never see enough butterflies. The park in Illinois had lots of milkweed, delighting me with sightings of monarchs sometimes. I can only imagine what it must be like to see them swarming but makes me sad to think how their numbers have fallen. I let milkweed grow in our yard to do my part, although it’s rather invasive.
All good things must come to an end and so it is with insects and all other life. I wonder how death came in this position and how the “skeleton” managed to still cling in death.
Donna, thanks for letting me wander through nature to find photos for this challenge. What fun!
This, that and the other thing 