Nature’s Very Busy Most Excellent Day
(Click images to enlarge, click again to zoom.)
The Sun. The Moon. Sky, earth, water. Life. Death.
Nature has it all. Spending time away from human-influenced distractions allows us to realize that nature incorporates rhythm into each and every day. I think that’s why humans invented music. A poor attempt to emulate nature’s never-ending heartbeat. A day in the forest, at the shore, in a grassy field, deep in a dark swamp – we realize that we are a part of nature. We are not quite as significant as our huge homo sapiens’ brains would have us believe. We are humbled.
On this day, Gini and I encountered the mundane and the magnificent. We savored it all. Leaving the house while it is still dark out always seems to heighten our sense of anticipation. What will we discover as the light in the east gradually brightens? Perhaps a new bird, an amazing vista, lovely flowers, predators pursuing prey? Maybe we shall simply revel in an atmosphere of clear air, no man-made noise, a view unobstructed by walls and the unspoken unadulterated joy of each other’s company.
Time passed all too quickly. It seems we had barely finished our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and it was almost noon. Several dozen instances of Gini loudly “whispering”: “Look, look at that!” and her grabbing my arm and pointing and — well, take a look.
Our driveway. Looking up. The day begins.
Mortal enemies. American Crows and Cooper’s Hawk. A meeting at the Fence of Peace, The Dove Field Boundary (according to the sign, at least).
Early in the morning, before the sun dries its golden wings, a Hyacinth Glider (Miathyria marcella) glistens. Soon, it will be difficult to find one perched as they seem to remain in flight indefinitely.
Smallest of the North American skipper butterflies, a Southern Skipperling (Copaeodes minima) greets the rising sun from its lofty leafy lookout.
I was only able to get one image of this Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni). We can see how it got its name and we have a glimpse of those pretty blue eyes.
Not sure, but I THINK this Red-shouldered Hawk may have spotted me attempting to sneak closer for a better photo.
A blade of grass, a bit of water. Happiness if you are a Four-spotted Pennant (Brachymesia gravida).
We discovered the larva of a Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) butterfly working to create a chrysalis. It will remain in the protective case for 10-14 days before emerging as an adult. (The images of the adults are from earlier this year and are provided for reference.)
Migration season brings an influx of many different bird species to our semi-tropical area where they fuel up on insects before traveling further south. A very active Blue-gray Gnatcatcher did not stop for long in its pursuit of breakfast.
Circle of life moment. An adult male Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) captured what appears to be a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis). It took about three minutes for the larger dragonfly to consume its smaller cousin.
We were fascinated to watch this Carpenter-mimic Leafcutter Bee (Megachile xylocopoides) gather nectar from the small blooms of Spanish Needles/Beggarticks (Bidens alba). This species has no “pouches” on its legs for pollen like some bees, but the pollen sticks to its abdomen.
As kids, we loved building things with Lincoln Logs. (Interesting history on the toy here: https://www.history.com/news/the-birth-of-lincoln-logs.) The unique case of Abbot’s Bagworm Moth (Oiketicus abbotii) always reminds me of the old construction log toy set. The female moth remains within her portable shelter most of her life.
A smallish flycatcher, two wingbars, an eyering, olive colored upper parts. An Acadian Flycatcher, although not rare, is most certainly very uncommon around here.
“Those eyes!” The large Royal River Cruiser (Macromia taeniolata) is one of Gini’s favorite dragons. Okay. One of mine, too.
The sky reflected within a drop of water on the back of the shell of a snail. I’ll leave it to you to create your own metaphor. Or poem. Or, as we did, you could just enjoy the view.
Whew! We saw a lot today. Only a small portion has been shared. (You can thank us later.) Nature stays busy. Survival is a never-ending task. It boggles the mind to understand that this process occurs each and every day, whether we are there or not. We hope to repeat the experience soon – and often.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Our Natural Places 
I’ve spent way too many minutes now, reading about the Abbot Bagworm Moth, because you mentioned that the chrysalis was a movable home. So interesting. A great collection of images and sightings!
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Thanks, Sam.
Nature seems to find a way to kkep us occupied when we least expect it. Maybe that’s why we keep returning to Her.
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These were all fabulous, Wally! The Abbot’s Bagworm Moth home is very cool!
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Thanks, Donna.
One day I hope to get a picture of the really small chain saws those moths use for such clean cuts!
Hope you’re enjoying the new home.
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Wow, the detail on the moon shot is incredible! I have never heard of or seen the Bagworm Moth but I will know what it is now if I see one. So interesting!
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Thank you very much for the kind words!
Once upon a time, we would rush down the trail to get to a fishing spot or the deer stand or a place where someone reported a rare bird. Then, something happened. Gini says it’s called “gettin’ old”, but I’m pretty sure she’s wrong.
Anyhow, once we slowed down, we sure have been seeing a lot of stuff!
Enjoy the weekend!
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That hawk is most definitely checking you out! Love the detail in your moon shot.
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Thank you, Peter.
The hawk may have been measuring me for the dinner pot. She’ll need a big one.
Gini said something that I was a natural for photographing the moon. Something about lunatic.
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I really enjoyed the photos Wally. Looks like you did a bunch of close-up work as well as a bit of astrophotography. Great colors on your subjects today. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks very much, Brad.
The more we get out to see stuff, the more stuff we see. Funny that.
I have passed along your appreciation of colors to Mother Nature.
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I chuckled at the back and forth about pb&j. It tastes good, of course, but it has the great advantage of not requiring refrigeration, which makes it a natural for school lunch boxes and naturalists’ travel food. I rather enjoy combining the peanut butter with sliced banana from time to time. Very occasionally, I give in to complete decadence and add some crisp bacon slices.
Your Lincoln Loggish construction is a reminder that I’ve still only seen one of these, but at least I’ve seen one. There must be more about; I’ll have to look more closely. The crow and hawk photo is priceless: the sort of moment that never can be sought out or predicted. Seeing those stages of the Gulf Fritillary is especially interesting. The Monarchs may have better publicity agents, but I think the Fritillaries are equally beautiful.
The snail and its droplet is remarkable. That bit of clear blue is beautiful.
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Gini whole-heartedly embraces bananas on her PB&J. And bacon. There may be other delights she has tried over the years, but we have created enough controversy for the moment.
We found a lot to enjoy during this outing. Beginning the day with the hawk/crow stand-off (sit-off?) was pretty neat.
Snails as photographic subjects helps alleviate my usual issue of wildlife flying/running away before I can snap an image.
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Your mention of “no man-made noise” reminded me of something that has annoyed me since I was young: people blasting stereos at the beach or in other natural places (or even driving down a street, for that matter). Somehow the people who did that never blasted out Beethoven.
Is it common for a crow and a hawk to coexist the way they did on the gate in your third picture?
How impressively you caught the snail with a blue drop of water clinging to it. The drop’s curve smoothes the adjacent part of the snail’s contour.
I had no idea Lincoln Logs came from a son of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Excellent dragonfly pictures, as usual.
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I have the same pet peeve about music volume. Within my house is one thing. but listening to Ode To Joy at maximum volume while driving through a national park just seems wrong.
It is common to see crows chasing and harassing a hawk as they know the hawk will eat their young if given the opportunity. That’s why I thought it “post-worthy” to show the two species sharing a gate.
The snail image is turning out to be a personal favorite.
Thank you for your kind remarks.
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Lots of great shots of the little critters. The flycatcher is a great “catch”. And that snail at the end is my favorite. Great details.
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Thank you Dina.
As long as we keep seeing neat stuff we’ll keep reporting about it. Surprises like that flycatcher are nice.
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Jelly is “sugar, gelatine, and fruit flavours, that shakes slightly when it is moved” as in Jelly Roll Morton. Jelly is the base unit of an English trifle, the jelly encasing sponges, the the lot covered in double whipped cream and then dotted with fresh fruit halves, usually strawberries and/or kiwi and fished with sparkles.
On the other hand, good old jam the kind your gran used to boil up on the kitchen stove from apples and bramble fruit is an entirely different animal, that heaven forbid, should never ever be consumed with the colonial invention of peanut butter. Yuk.
I agree, music and birds are made for each other chicken and egg. At the moment I am whistling “Singing In The Rain” or “Raindrops Keep Fallin”. You get my message? Hopefully I will get into the outdoors soon. In the meanwhile I am reminded of one of the greats from USA singing about being a survivor – George Jones https://youtu.be/e7g74dSiXOo?si=HUHp7CJZ2NEjGg7h
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When we were very, very young, “jelly” meant any sort of spreadable fruit that we could easily place on a slice of bread without it falling off before we could slap another slice of bread on top of it.
Now, since we are erudite citizens of the world, we understand the difference between jelly, jam and preserves. However, we retain the colloquialism of our childhood and no matter which fruit concoction goes on the bread with the delicious and nutritous extract of the peanut – we shall forever refer to it as a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.
Regarding your jelly definition and reference to Jelly Roll Morton, Mr. Glenn Miller underscores your explanation.
If our Colonial forefathers invented peanut butter, we applaud their genius. After all, they managed to switch our young nation from drinking hot tea (yuk) to that elixir of the morning – coffee.
I would send you my brelly in case yours should break, but around here we seldom need one so I would be hard-pressed to locate it. Instead, I shall hum along with you as a show of soggy solidarity.
The lyrics of “I’m A Survivor” have me wondering if you are still referring to the weather. Hope all is well.
Gini and I are also “surviving” the slings and arrows of outrageous doctors and hospitals. More on the horizon but all is well at the moment.
Take good care. Have a PBJ and cuppa.
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There is NOTHING mundane about any of these shots. Joy and bliss. And in perfect company too.
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Thank you, EC. We thought we should include the idea that we do see “mundane” stuff lest some think we’re too good to be true. (Which, of course, we are.)
Gini and I hope Joy and Bliss pay you repeated visits.
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A fabulous post with a veritable feast of odonata for me to drool over, Wally.
I had never heard of Lincoln Logs, so followed your link. I then saw where the inspiration came from for some of the backwoods constructions that I have noticed on the television and thought ‘that’s clever’.
I have difficulty understanding the partaking of peanut butter with sweet things such as jelly (which I think is what we call jam in UK) on that side of the pond. Our delight here is to spread it on toast, sprinkle it with salt, and top it with sliced pickled beetroot (don’t know if that translates into something you recognise over there) or chopped up pickled onions. Fabulous!
My very best wishes to you and Gini – – – Richard
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Happy to cause drooling any time, Richard.
My Dad was a building contractor so I always had scraps of wood around for playing. The Lincoln Logs provided blueprints and notched logs and was great fun.
The classic “PB&J” stemmed from home-made lunches for taking to school. Combining the high protein of the P-nut Butter with the pure sugar of the jam assured we wouldn’t fall asleep during afternoon classes. Of course, our teachers may have preferred we napped.
Gini says your additon of beetroot and/or pickled onions sounds wonderful.
All is well her and we both hope you and Lindsay are having a great week.
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I can see why the River Cruiser is a favourite of yours it would be one of mine too!
Love the skipperling, great name.
Nice post yet again Mr W.
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That darner is one of the few which hangs out in full view. Actually spotting it is a challenge. But that’s why I stay married to the girl with outstanding vision.
Thanks Brian. Hope your week is going well.
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Thanks for sharing the beauty of the nature around you. All critters are lovely. My absolute favourite is the Gulf fritillary and its larva going to metamorphosis. Awesome!
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You are welcome. Thank YOU for the very nice comments.
Enjoy your week.
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