~JULY 2011 Photo Contest~

[linrose]

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!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by jpdenk

Snapping turtles are scary-looking, and sure live up to their name when out of the water, but I've always read that they're relatively docile in the water, not sure i want to test that theory out myself.

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.)

[turttle]

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...

[jack]

Originally Posted by turttle

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.

Attachment 25221
Eremnophila aureonotata, at least until suunto tells me differently.

Attachment 25222
Megachile xylocopoides, carpenter-mimic leaf cutter bee. I just thought this looked pretty funny waving her yellow butt in the air

Attachment 25224
My very own, home grown, watched her grow up, spicebush swallowtail butterfly! I knew there was a reason I planted spicebush.

Attachment 25225
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...

Turttle, they're all great, but the first one is spectacular. What a terrific shot!!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by jack

Turttle, they're all great, but the first one is spectacular. What a terrific shot!!

I have to agree that is a great shot--and a great looking insect. Very cool.

The variety out there is amazing...gotta preserve that biodiversity.

[Equilibrium]

I totally agree.... 1st one's a FANTASTIC photo!!!

[jpdenk]

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.

[jpdenk]

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

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by jpdenk

...this morning I led a foray for the Illinois Mycological Association in woods near my home, and did get some interesting shots..

Good, it sounds like it was successful then--the bit of rain you got did the trick?

Originally Posted by jpdenk

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.

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.

[dapjwy]

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.)