xenogere

A million fluttering wings

Posted on Jul 3, 2009 by jason

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There is a quiet that only butterflies know. It’s in the whisper of flight that they alone can hear, the fluttering of a million wings that passes unnoticed by most. It is a sound like soft rain penetrating the canopy of a tropical forest, a rain made of shadows and colors and creatures who ride on the air.

Little glassywing (Pompeius verna) perched on a leaf (2009_04_11_015026)

There is a beauty that only butterflies possess. It’s in the chalice of wings that contains hues of fire and ice, patterns both simple and complex, exquisite paintings nature alone can produce.

Fiery skipper (Hylephila phyleus) feeding on white clover (2009_06_06_022575)

There is a strength that only butterflies show. It’s in their flight on weightless wings held steady, their headlong travel against winds tossing them to and fro but which fail to stop them.

Hackberry emperor (Asterocampa celtis) perched on a leaf (2009_06_07_022755)

There is a serenity that only butterflies feel. It’s the calm that rests upon a leaf, wings folded, eyes watchful. It permeates the air surrounding them and infiltrates the soul that sets eyes upon them.

Variegated fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) in shadow and light (2009_06_07_022743)

There is a power that only butterflies hold. It’s the flame that burns from within, the light captured and set free in patterns unimaginable and dizzying.

Cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae) feeding on nectar (2009_06_14_023522)

There is a world that only butterflies see. It’s the jungle of freshly mowed grass, the enticement of colors rich and rare that blossoms hold high, the mystery of daylight and long shadows. It is a world we can only imagine.

Orange sulphur (a.k.a. alfalfa sulphur; Colias eurytheme) perched on a blade of grass (2009_06_21_024649)

There is a magic that only butterflies wield. It’s in the spell cast by a million fluttering wings.

— — — — — — — — — —

Photos:

[1] Little glassywing (Pompeius verna)

[2] Fiery skipper (Hylephila phyleus)

[3] Hackberry emperor (Asterocampa celtis)

[4] Variegated fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

[5] Cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae)

[6] Orange sulphur (a.k.a. alfalfa sulphur; Colias eurytheme)

Tags: cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae), fiery skippers, hackberry emperor (Asterocampa celtis), little glassywing (Pompeius verna), orange sulphur (Colias eurytheme), variegated fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

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put on your faces – fox squirrel

Posted on Jun 30, 2009 by jason

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Fox squirrel (a.k.a. eastern fox squirrel, stump-eared squirrel, raccoon squirrel or monkey-faced squirrel; Sciurus niger)

Tags: fox squirrels

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Potter at work

Posted on Jun 30, 2009 by jason

0

A cloudy day. Ghoulish shadows dance together.

I stand on the patio watching a horde of creatures as they struggle for survival. I can relate.

Suddenly a small thing flits by me. It pauses, hangs in the air just in front of my face, and we size each other up for the briefest of moments.

Then she goes on about her business.

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018503)

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) has decided a window screen is the perfect spot for one of her children. She has only just begun her work.

A common potter wasp nest (2009_05_07_018424)

It will take her a few hours to complete the nest.

When she leaves to fetch more dirt with which to create another ball of mud, I put the tripod out and prep the camera to record her activities.

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018514)

She doesn’t mind the closeness of the contraption any more than she is bothered by me. The camera gives her pause once or twice, brief moments of investigation before she moves on with her work.

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018516)

With each trip the bowl takes shape, grows in a slow yet constant way that reminds me of time-lapse footage showing a mushroom sprouting from damp earth. With each visit it looks more and more like the pot it will become.

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018517)

Her diligence is steadfast, her precision admirable. She will complete the nest in one day. Later should enough light remain or the following day if night falls too soon, she will provision it with caterpillars, spiders and other foodstuffs before depositing a single egg in its bosom and sealing its entrance.

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018531)

After all the work is done, all the building and hunting, she will begin again. Perhaps near the first pot, perhaps in a different location, but she will repeat this task as often as she can with the eggs she carries inside her.

And when the last nest is built and the last egg laid, she will die. All her hope will rest in a series of mud pots.

Tags: common potter wasps