Monthly Archives of: September 2014

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(Multi-photo)*** It’s good, if you are human, to leave the superficial and the shallow (and the crowd)… and, instead, go deep. However, if you are a duck…

September 5, 2014
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It’s good, if you are human, to leave the superficial and the shallow (and the crowd)… and, instead, go deep.  However, if you are a duck, leaving the group and going into the deep (on your own) can get you eaten by a northern pike or a muskellunge.  

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[The real Duck Dynasty!  These are young (immature) wild Mallard Ducks.  Fortunately, the one going off on his own (into the deep) quickly came back and joined the group.  Almost all domestic ducks are derived from wild Mallard Ducks.  Mallards are “dabbling ducks”—they feed in the water by tipping forward and grazing on underwater plants. They almost never dive. (Fortunately, unlike some people, when I shoot ducks I only use a camera!)]

The real Duck Dynasty. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

The real Duck Dynasty. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

The real Duck Dynasty (part 2) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

The real Duck Dynasty (part 2) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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Don’t compare yourself with others… be what and who you are (in wise harmony with the whole).

September 5, 2014
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Don’t compare yourself with others… be what and who you are (in wise harmony with the whole).

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[Buffalo Tree Hopper… nicely camouflaged in (of all things) a tree. They feed on the sap of flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and deciduous trees, but do little damage due to their very diminutive size.]

"Time is a tree (this life one leaf)" -- E.E.Cummings. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

“Time is a tree (this life one leaf)” — E.E.Cummings. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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One doesn’t (personally) care about the latest (current) fashions or trends; one cares about…

September 4, 2014
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One doesn’t (personally) care about the latest (current) fashions or trends; one cares about lasting and eternal truths that remain forever.

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[A Fire Beetle and a Sulphur Butterfly (i.e., Alfalfa Butterfly) contemplating their next move.]

Sulphur Butterfly and Fire Beetle. The Important Conference (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Sulphur Butterfly and Fire Beetle. The Important Conference (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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In a big way, you can’t distance yourself from your anxieties and…

September 4, 2014
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In a big way, you can’t distance yourself from your anxieties and fears; you are your anxieties and fears.

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[Praying Mantis head study. The two large, compound eyes of Praying Mantises operate much better than the eyes of most insects; dragonflies also have excellent eyes. A mantid can see to a distance of 50 feet. Between the two large compound eyes, there exists three simple eyes (and the middle simple eye is larger than the other two).  Sometimes, right after mating, a female Praying Mantis will bite the male’s head off and eat him.  (Males usually don’t live long after mating anyway… and the extra protein is excellent nourishment for producing plenty of viable eggs.)  What a way to go! Actually, in the wild, scientists believe the male partner gets munched on less than 30% of the time.]

Praying Mantis Head Study. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Praying Mantis Head Study. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

 

 

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One has to be gutsy when looking for the truth…

September 3, 2014
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One has to be gutsy when looking for the truth… not molded to find comfortable answers that one is merely desiring to find.

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[A Ladybug resting in the center of a wildflower as a very diminutive insect ascends toward it.]

The Center of attention. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

The Center of attention. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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Be an oasis of goodness and order in a world that contains…

September 3, 2014
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Be an oasis of goodness and order in a world that contains a lot of conflict and darkness.

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[A land slug crawling on a white mushroom covered in dew.  Slugs love moisture, such as dew in the mornings or rainy days; on dry days they often hide under logs.  The slug may eat the mushroom without problems; however, that is not the case if a human would eat this mushroom.  It is likely a mature form of Chlorophyllum molybdites, a mushroom that is not edible by humans.  However, it sure looks rather impressive (and edible).  Stick with purchasing mushrooms from the grocery store!  Leave the wild mushrooms to the slugs and wild creatures of nature!]

Slow but successful! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Slow but successful! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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True joy exists far deeper than superficial desires.

September 2, 2014
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True joy exists far deeper than superficial desires.

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[An avian friend… a small bird in a wooded area by a river.  It is a Cedar Waxwing fledgling.  Cedar Waxwings eat a lot of fruits and berries.]

Avian friend. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Avian friend. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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To hate others involves despising images that are part of one’s own consciousness. Intelligently go beyond hate.

September 2, 2014
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To hate others involves despising images that are part of one’s own consciousness.  Intelligently go beyond hate.

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[This is a Robber Fly.  They thrive along woodland edges and are voracious predators.  I often see them flying around looking for insect prey to snatch up.  They can go after wasps, bees, flies, and even larger insects such as dragonflies.]

Quick and agile! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Quick and agile! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

 

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I’ve seen the sunset from an eternal shore.

September 1, 2014
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I’ve seen the sunset from an eternal shore.

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[This is a Tree Cricket.  Tree crickets are found around the world, in a variety of colors; they live in trees, shrubs, bushes, plants and grasses. If you’ve ever been outdoors in summer or autumn, day or night, there is an excellent chance that you have heard the loud and beautiful trilling songs of male tree crickets.]

Jiminy Cricket! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Jiminy Cricket! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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Feel and care beyond yourself.

September 1, 2014
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Feel and care beyond yourself.

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[This conglomeration of insects consists of Buckeye Butterflies, two or three Drone (Hover) flies, and other insects.  Buckeye butterflies cannot survive freezing temperatures in any stage, so they must migrate south; otherwise, they will perish. Therefore, many  Buckeyes that spend their summers in northern states, fly south to overwinter in Gulf Coast states such as Florida. The buckeyes enjoy being together often, and prefer to fly in open areas, where they sun themselves. Their wingspan is 1.5-2.7 inches.]

The Important Conference (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

The Important Conference (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014