As of today, I am the parent of an adult. This is weird. Everything about it is weird.
Me being old enough to have an adult child? Weird.
Me having been a parent for 18 years? Weird.
Just weird.
Also in the category of weird is the feature organism for a Wasp Wednesday: the Pelecinid Wasp.
Friends, I’ve been lucky enough to meet this lovely lady on several occasions, including once on the sidewalk near my house.… Read the rest
I’m certainly not an cultural anthropologist, but I imagine the concept of ‘park’ or ‘protected area’ – an area deliberately set aside to be free of human ‘interference’ for its own safety – would have been completely foreign and nonsensical to the majority of human societies that have existed to date.
It seems the need for protected areas is the result of at least two things:
Regarding #1, I’m sure there has been much ink spilled to examine and explain how this worldview came about – I recall reading something by Alfred North Whitehead many years ago that placed the blame, and not without merit, at the feet of a certain understanding of Christian theology.… Read the rest
My parents brought me this mug from one of their excursions to the American southwest. Unfortunately, the dishwasher has worn away the image (this is the less damaged side).
They went a few times to New Mexico and Arizona in their retirement. Whenever I use this mug I think of them. They went in winter – Mom enjoyed the break from the cold as she was definitely not a winter person.… Read the rest
Let’s do a deep dive into dung!
Dung Beetles
My favorite beetles. Different species have different strategies:
Rollers – perhaps the most familiar strategy. They form some dung into a ball, roll it away from the the dung pile, then bury it for later (or to lay eggs into).
Tunnelers – these don’t bother rolling dung, they just bury it right there at the scene of the crime.… Read the rest
Me as Known From My Mugs
I got this mug from my in-laws for Christmas once and I believe the theme was chosen as they know I’m naturalist type. While my naturely interests are mainly plants and insects, I do appreciate a good mushroom. This mug is hefty and great for a good-sized cup of coffee in the morning.
I’ll readily admit to knowing very little about the fungal life, but I do know that fungi play many important ecological roles.… Read the rest
*Yes, I know it’s Tuesday, but you can’t keep a good moth down.
This is a Primrose Moth*. During the day, they can often be found hunkered down in flowers, especially these White-stemmed Evening Primrose** flowers. These day-time naps are no doubt due to late nights of excess and debauchery. This one is expressing its displeasure at being disturbed by giving the photographer the side-eye.… Read the rest