Posts Tagged ‘Nature’

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!

Today I’m offering two-fers here on “This, That and the Other Thing.” You don’t even have to buy the first one to get them both for the same price. What a deal!

Deal #1…two damp, delicate beauties.

Most of us have two lives: the life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance. ~ Steven Pressfield

Deal #2…Maybe there really are two sides to everything.

Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either. ~ Aesop

Deal #3…two millstones at Queen Creek Olive Mill. Looking at the size of those gives a much stronger meaning to this passage from the Bible:

Matthew 18:6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Deal #4…two bottlebrushes for Claudia.

Deal #5…two of the nuts and bolts of things.

Deal #6…two fabulous fungi or, perhaps, umbrellas for tiny fairies. Who knows? There are many mysteries in the universe.

I hope your Tuesday is twice as good as usual! Cheers!

Fairy duster

Six-Word Saturday 5.6.23

Here are more flowers that delighted me during my recent California visit. Enjoy!

Backlit. I love backlit. I love light. I love mornings, my preference being just before dawn so I can see the sun rise, always causing backlight. There’s an anticipation not just for the beauty of the moment but for the upcoming day and what it might bring.

This is one of my favorite flower photos of all the many, many flower photos I’ve taken. Without the light where it is, I only have a picture of a nice iris. The light changes everything.

“O, Sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on Earth.” ― Roman Payne

Back light creates bokeh, picks out details.

Sunrise automatically creates back light. You can’t get behind the sun. The clouds work with the light to create drama at the California beach. These rays of light always bring to my mind the glory of God.

“The Sun will rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it’s here is up to us. Journey wisely.”
― Alexandra Elle

Afternoon at Tlaquepaque in Sedona, Arizona, a shopping complex that feels like an upscale Mexican village.

The magic of sunrise in McDowell Forest Preserve, Naperville, Illinois, “my” park when we lived there, the place that ministered to my soul.

Backlit from the front, a beautiful paradox.

Six-Word Saturday 4.29.23

I somehow managed to schedule my Friday flowers post yesterday at the same time as Thursday Doors. Sigh. Thanks to all of you who visited and liked a/o commented on both, never asking me how Friday came a day early.

You’re due a bonus for that and here’s your reward: a video montage of my super bloom visit to Tonto National Forest, put together by whatever photo creatures inhabit my phone. Enjoy.

Medley…a diverse assortment or mixture; in this case, a medley of desert flowers. Medley also has a musical meaning, a series of various songs or parts of songs. The flowers of the desert in their short season sing a beautiful song to those who take the time to listen.