A Twilight Visitor To My Door In Autumn

 

“His eyes reflected the open grey of the autumnal sky.” 

~Juliet Marillier,

  Daughter of the Forest

 

The Praying Mantis is such a delicate creature, and yet does so much work in the garden, devouring naughty little creatures, such as aphids. This one is a California Praying Mantis, and it's gorgeous! Harmless to humans, it simply visited the corner of my condo, posed for the million pictures I took of it, and quietly went about it's way. Praying Mantis do most of the hunting at night, and that's kinda cool. I guess that's why I rarely see them in the daylight. I am enjoying discovering new things to photograph, especially the critters I would ordinarily run from! I am becoming brave in my old age!    

 

 

Grasshopper, GRASSHOPPER!

 

“Even tiny plants experience autumn.” 

 
~Devika Todi,

  Dreaming in A Fish Bowl

 

 

 

Okay, first, let me share, I hate bugs, but love and appreciate what they do for the ecosystem, but damn they are spooky looking! Like a mean spirited alien from some unknown planet. I've learned about different insects since moving to the San Joaquin Valley, but I hadn't gotten around to the grasshopper. As it turns out, I learned that they are actually fascinating creatures, and not bad to have around. Most cannot possibly be less interested in humans. But you see, I visited, Mount Diablo State Park, last week, and I met a bug a little less harmless. The Black wasp. Ugly, and come to find out, it has a really painful stinger. To their credit, they are not really aggressive, but you know, sometimes you meet someone and you just don't get along with them, the chemistry is just off!

 

To be fair, it was mostly me I guess. It flew into the car window and landed on my hand, surprising me, and I panicked! It bit/stung me, I went to smash it on the door, and it bit/stung me for the second time. It. FUCKING. HURT! We had only just arrived at the top of park, at 3,848  feet! What a way to begin a pleasant day. I am very sentimental about Mount Diablo, it has soothed my nerves to know that even if you live in the valley, if you can see that mountain, then the Bay Area is close by. I get a little bogged down out here, my nerves fray, my depression gets to me, and of course, there is gun fire all around me, but I can always see Diablo from anywhere along Hwy 5, and feel like I am home when I need it. 

 

As for the grasshopper, I didn't find him on Mount Diablo, I found him at the Yolo Bypass wildlife area, in Davis. And he got nowhere near me, but damn did I have a tiny flashback of panic! I was not interested in being stung by yet another insect, especially since I haven't been stung once, since visiting the bypass for the first time several years ago. Lets keep that place pure. Soon, the ducks, geese, cranes, and stilts will arrive, and I plan to visit... often! So no drama please. I also have not ruled another visit to Mount Diablo! They have a lot of wonderful creatures to see, like the tarantulas, especially during their mating season in October, and foxes, coyotes and on occasion, the California Condors. I'm kinda planning for a visit there next month, but I have a long list of places I would like to visit. I dunno, who knows, it could happen!

 

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 57~ Fun With Crickets

"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos."


~Edward O. Wilson


According to the University of Minnesota, this is a House Cricket. I just call it BLECH! When I first got my drivers license, I thought it would be fun to drive a convertible, and at 25, when I decided to go car hunting, I  considered purchasing one. I had fallen in love with the Pontiac Fiero, and was all set to buy one, when  my dad pointed out some obvious pitfalls. Rain... a lot of convertibles leak. Sunburn... so don't forget to stock up on lots and lots of sunscreen. Incontinent birds... or at least some that don't care how cool I look behind the wheel of sporty little car, when you have to go, you have to go. And the one pitfall that he knew would absolutely cause me to come to my senses... UGLY, FLYING CREATURES.


Ummm... yep. UGLY, FLYING CREATURES changed my mind. Yep. 


As I watched this House Cricket hang on to the windshield, it reminded me of that conversation dad and I had all those years ago. Since that conversation back in the 80's I have heard of more than one close encounter with a FLYING BUG. My brother-in-law was driving his truck down HWY1 one warm summer afternoon, when he was broadsided, in the left cheek, by a large dragonfly. It had a big beak, that took a huge chunk out of his face. Luckily he kept his head and was able to stop safely, but now he can't stand to be around them. Which, of course, I completely understand. Wouldn't you?


So, while I will never own a convertible, driving a hard topped car allows me to photograph moments like this one. I wasn't really thrilled that the cricket was there, but getting out my camera and getting to work on photographing it made me feel better. My camera has done a lot to alleviate my fears and phobias. It inspired me to I read a bit about this House Cricket and learn about what he was about. It's a rather interesting critter, both in actuality and in myth and lore. I am sure the HOUSE CRICKET has his place in the world, but I would rather it hadn't been on my windshield. Like I said... BLECH. LOL.


~Me :)


Today's Link...


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/07/apadf6-55.html

Round Robin Challenge: Things With Wings

Give and Take
For to the bee a flower is a messenger of life
And the to the flower a bee is a messenger of love
And to both, bee and flower,
The giving and receiving is a need and an ecstasy.

-Hans Christian Anderson

It's time for yet another Round Robin Challenge! This time around, it was my friend Steven's turn to choose a topic, and he has chosen, "Things With Wings," as our challenge. I have been enjoying photographing busy bumbles, little angelic butterflies, grouchy yellow jackets, and happy little honey bees this summer... and even the amazing little bug in the picture above. I took his portrait a couple weeks ago, when I found him resting on a tiny white flower in Golden Gate Park. I have looked and looked, but haven't been able to identify him, so I will just call him... Billy. Yes, Billy! If you know what kind of winged creature he might be, please, sing out. I would enjoy learning more about him. :)

In addition to it being Steven's turn to choose a Round Robin topic, it is also the fourth anniversary of his blog, "(sometimes) photoblog." Be sure to drop by his place to see his entry. In fact, you should be sure to visit all the participating Robins, you'll be glad you did. There are some amazingly talented photographers in the land, each one a true artist. :) Thank you Steven, for the delightful challenge! And Happy Anniversary to you! :)

:)

What do you suppose?

A bee sat on my nose.

Then what do you think?

He gave me a wink.

And said, "I beg your pardon,

I thought you were the garden."

-English Rhyme

Linking List

1. Steven... (sometimes) photoblog
POSTED!

2. Jessica... OuickSilver Dreams
POSTED!

3. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pix
POSTED!

4. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
POSTED!

5. Vicki... Maraca
POSTED!

6. Kerrin... A New Day
POSTED!

7. Janet... Fond Of Photography
POSTED!

8. Suzanne R... New Suzanne R's Life
POSTED!

9. Carly... Ellipsis
POSTED!

10. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
POSTED!

11. boliyou... Percolation

POSTED!

12. Gina... Gina's Space

POSTED!

-OndineMonet
"Billy Bug"
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
August, 2007
Afternoon