My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A couple weeks ago I joined Curtis and his father, Luke, at his father’s organic vegetable farm called Shire CSA. They have setup Thursday evenings as volunteer hours to cleanup the gardens in preparation for winter and the coming planting season. I stopped by and watched as owners of shares stopped in and picked up their vegetables. Of course I had my camera so here are a few of the vegetables I picked up with my camera.
Some of you may ask, what’s a crane fly? Well, a crane fly is any member of the dipteran superfamily Tipuloidea, which contains the living families Cylindrotomidae, Limoniidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae, as well as several extinct families. (If you are able to pronounce any of those names you win a bag of Dove’s Dark chocolates and a Mars bar!!) Aren’t you glad you asked? But wait I’ve got more information to share. An adult crane fly, resembles an oversized male mosquito, typically has a slender body and long, stilt-like legs (and no feet) that are deciduous, easily coming off the body. When they say oversized I mean this one was two inches across. Adults have a lifespan of 10–15 days (which leaves almost no time for any sort of life). The adult female usually contains mature eggs as she emerges from her pupa, and often mates immediately if a male is available. (Okay guys, time to show up! Ya ain’t got much time.) Some members of the tipulid genus Tipula, such as the European crane fly, Tipula paludosa and the marsh crane fly T. oleracea are agricultural pests in Europe. The larvae of these species live in the top layers of soil where they feed on the roots, root hairs, crown, and sometimes the leaves of crops, stunting their growth or killing the plants. They are pests on a wide variety of plants (And they can do this in a very short time.)
And yes there is more. There is an enduring urban legend that crane flies are the most venomous insects in the world; however, they have neither venom nor the ability to bite. The myth probably arose due to their being confused with the cellar spider as they are also informally called “daddy longlegs”. Despite widely held beliefs that adult crane flies (or “mosquito hawks”) prey on mosquito populations, the adult crane fly is anatomically incapable of killing or consuming other insects. Although the adults of some species may feed on nectar, the adults of many species have such short lifespans that they do not eat at all. Now, I know you’re glad you asked!!
All information was gathered from Wikipedia.
Bees are known to be good pollinators and they have the distinction of having a spelling contest named after them. However, not many people are aware that wasps are also pollinators but they do not have a spelling contest named after them. Wasps look much like bees, but are generally not covered with fuzzy hairs. As a result, they are much less efficient in pollinating flowers, because pollen is less likely to stick to their bodies and to be moved from flower to flower. Wasps are omnivores and eat other insects, invertebrates, and nectar. Wasps prey on other insects to give to their larvae. Adult wasps only eat sugars, though. Wasps get hydration and sugar from drinking the nectar from flowers or fruits. As they drink the nectar from flowers, they passively transfer pollen between flowers. The parasitic forms of wasps lay their eggs on or in other insects or invertebrates, and they become the hosts. Enough about pollinators. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I’ve been noticing these bugs a lot this year. They are stunning in color and vibrancy. A Google search tells me this is a Japanese beetle. It is not considered a pest in its native Japan, but in North America and some regions of Europe, it is a noted pest to roughly 300 species of plants. Some of these plants include roses, grapes, hops, canna, crape myrtles, birch trees, linden trees, and others. The adult beetles damage plants by skeletonizing the foliage, as you can see in this image, as well as, at times, feeding on a plant’s fruit. When I took my camera for a walk this morning I took a few photos of them. Interesting that if you enlarge the photo you can see my reflection in its head.
I rode the red steed to Mugs for coffee this morning. Adrianna was my barista and an Old Town Mocha was my drink. Jeff, Curtis, Adrianna, Joan and myself each gave of our time to one another through our presence, conversation and laughter. I choose to believe we all made some difference in one another’s lives.
One little person giving all of her time to peace makes news.
from Peace Pilgrim
Many people giving some of their time to peace can make history.
Jeff and I rode by the CSU Flower Gardens on the way home. When I got home, I felt I did not stay long enough or walk around enough. I think I’ll return later this evening in an effort to make another small ripple. The bees were busy giving their time and making their small ripples in life, fulfilling their role in creation. I watched while they indulged in the process of pollination. And, later as I journaled on my porch, I shared the arm of my chair with a ladybug. We also gave of our time to one another. I wrote while they watched. Then, I watched two young squirrels chase one another around the tree. Again, we gave of our time to each other. I let them entertain me while they played. The bees, the ladybug and the squirrels live a life so much differently than our world of consumerism and scarcity. Their role in life is about making history. So, my prayer today is that more people give some of their time to peace, sending out small ripples, and making history rather than the news.
While each place has its own beauty, no particular place can claim to settle the wanderer’s soul.
John O’Donohue, Eternal Echoes
If you ever want to observe a wandering soul look no farther than the world of insects. Most wander in pursuit of food, to mate and to avoid predators. I have found the only way to photograph dragonflies and damselflies is to set up my camera and tripod then wait. With enough patience those wandering souls will pass through your viewfinder. Hoping you are enjoying your Saturday.
It rained yesterday afternoon and through most of the night, with a soft gentle rain here. However there was major rain in the mountains in the burn areas from last years forest fires. Major flooding took place and a flood warning out for today. Interesting that 45 years ago today we had the Big Thompson Flood that took 144 lives. A 20 foot wall of water came down that canyon almost completely taking out Highway 34 between Loveland and Estes Park. I remember how it sounded like a war zone with helicopters constantly flying overhead. I know those who lost loved ones in that flood and have a sister who survived those waters.
Data for those who want to know: Fujifilm X-T3 and XF 16-80mm f4.0
Met my friend, Diane, at Gardens on Spring Creek. The gardens are an impressive 18 acre facility. Great for us older kids to enjoy! We brought our own coffee and met in the parking lot. They have this set aside time for members to have the garden all to themselves on certain days from 8:00-10:00 am. Today was one of those days. What a wonderful world it is. They also have a butterfly pavilion but it did not open until 10:00 am. Another time.
Had this little one come right up to me as if I was suppose to feed them. Hope you are having a great day!
I chose nature photography as a way of capturing
Guy Tal
and sharing the beauty, power, and fragility of wild places and
the life that inhabits them,
so that those who have become mired in the man-made chaos
may open their eyes to the real world.
Since I was early to meet a friend at a local coffeehouse called the Wild Boar, I took a walk across the street to the CSU Experimental Gardens. Look what I found! 🙂