![]() |
![]() |
#111 |
WG Fundraising Coordinator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Kentucky
|
![]()
When my kids were little, one was in kindergarten and we lived on the back roads of Vermont we had to crossover a pond where the gravel road ran only inches above the water. One day we came across a ginormous snapper in the middle of the road. I took out my shovel that I alway kept in the trunk of the car (you do that when you live out there) and put him in the trunk, went home, got a big cardboard box, and took him to the school so the kindergarteners could see him up close.
Well the kindergarden teacher, even though she was cool and a friend, was skeptical about bringing the creature into the classroom so she wisely decided the kids could go out in the parking lot and look at it, as long as they didn't get too close! My daughter and I and a few other kids were excited but there was some fear too! I was just naive enough to think everyone would be jumping up and down with the same excitement. At least they got to see it - only in the country! - and appreciate and respect it next time they came across one. Lucky for me no parent called and complained that some yahoo put their child in danger or some such nonsense. We drove home and let the snapper out in the pond where we found him. He was probably more freaked out than the kids! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#112 |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
|
![]()
Not sure that I want to test the theory either, but it is good to know. Kinda makes sense too, as they likely feel agile enough to flee in water, where as on land they may feel more fight than flight. (Just guessing.)
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#113 |
Curious George & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
|
![]()
A big snapper who lives in the NCBG went walkabout for an hour or so this spring before returning to her pool. Scared the dickens out of a bunch of school kids.
![]() I missed the past few months (I'll save my photos for next year from those months). This month, my theme seems to be flying insects. ![]() Eremnophila aureonotata, at least until suunto tells me differently. ![]() Megachile xylocopoides, carpenter-mimic leaf cutter bee. I just thought this looked pretty funny waving her yellow butt in the air ![]() My very own, home grown, watched her grow up, spicebush swallowtail butterfly! I knew there was a reason I planted spicebush. ![]() Silver-spotted skipper, the most common butterfly in my yard right now, on joe-pye weed. I think the arabesque orb weaver is better than any of these, though...
__________________
There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, this is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar. - Lord Byron Turttle's pollinator garden |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#114 | |
Great Horned Owl
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northeastern MA
|
![]() Quote:
__________________
"Know thyself." Oracle at Delphi |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#115 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
|
![]() Quote:
The variety out there is amazing...gotta preserve that biodiversity.
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#116 |
Official Plant Nerd
Join Date: Dec 2008
|
![]()
I totally agree.... 1st one's a FANTASTIC photo!!!
__________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#117 |
Heron
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tinley Park, Illinois, USA
|
![]()
They're all excellent, Turttle, but I agree, the bug in the first one is a real beauty. I like that one and number 4 the best.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#118 |
Heron
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tinley Park, Illinois, USA
|
![]()
I have one more entry. I only uploaded three the other day in case I got some last minute shots in, and this morning I led a foray for the Illinois Mycological Association in woods near my home, and did get some interesting shots.
This one is a close-up of a Bird's Nest Fungus, Cyathus striatus. The "eggs" in the nest are packets of spores. When it rains, if a raindrop lands in the "nest", it will rupture the spore packet and throw the spores out into the air. A weird method of spore dispersal, but they're quite common, so it apparently works well. John ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#119 | ||
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
|
![]() Quote:
Quote:
Very cool. I've only seen these (or a similar species) once in real life, and I'd forgotten all about it until I saw your picture. I may have been rather young because I can't quite "place" the memory. Great shot! As for spore dispersal--sounds like it makes some sense--the rain would guarantee it would be moist for the spores.
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#120 |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
|
![]()
I didn't expect to be posting another entry, but when I uploaded my photos and cropped this one, I thought I might as well.
(This might also be a bug porn worthy photo...those sensitive to such things should avert their eyes.)
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|