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Whenever nature may fall… it always springs back again. It is ever renewing.
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Fall by the Creek. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Fall Creek Leaves. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
(Multi-Photo)*** The Fall
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All Posts Tagged ‘Macro Photography’
Bending down…
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There was a wise man… and every time he bent down, the whole world (including all the people, animals, and plants) bent down.
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[This Goldenrod is being bent over by the wind… not by the weight of the Hover Flies upon it. Hover Flies seek nectar from wildflowers, such as this Goldenrod, which is growing along the periphery of a local, nutrient-rich, rural pond.]
Bending together. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Beyond the limitation or mere symbols…
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Thought is a wonderful tool, but if that’s all you exist as… you are immured in the confines of your own, limited prison.
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[This is the central part of a garden flower. The golden Stamen are holding up well to the recent cold weather. Stamen are the pollen filaments of flowers.]
Golden Stamen. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
A Spider sewed at Night…
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from Emily Dickinson:
A Spider sewed at Night
Without a Light
Upon an Arc of White.
If Ruff it was of Dame
Or Shroud of Gnome
Himself himself inform.
Of Immortality
His Strategy
Was Physiognomy.
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[This is a Black and Yellow Argiope Spider. We call them Banana Spiders here in the Midwest. Each Black and Yellow Argiope Spider carries an ominous, rather demonic set of images on its dorsal side… a clear message saying: “Don’t mess with me!”]
Positioned “head down” as is typical for these and related species. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Ripples
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The thrown rock creates the ripples, but the ripples of thought create the ego (i.e., the so-called central “I”).
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[This is a Banded Argiope Spider – with ripples of colors – waiting for prey in a perfect web that she has spun. The Banded Argiope Spider is a large spider and is related to the Black and Yellow Argiope Spider (i.e., the Banana Spider). Their expertly woven webs have crossed, zigzag bands running through them that are very thick. It is thought that these have the dual function of attracting certain insects – since they reflect a lot of ultraviolet light that certain insects are attracted to – and for warning low flying birds. (Humans cannot see in the ultraviolet range.) I used to have a lot of these spiders crawling all over me when out in the fields photographing (and didn’t mind it at all); but now I am better at spotting and avoiding the webs and going around them. Many of these spiders are well over and inch long. It is common for them to wait in the web with their head down. Note the webbing to the left and right of this spider.]
A real tiger. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Beyond distorted observation…
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Do not merely look through the screen of fragmentation that was instilled within (and “as”) your mind.
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[This is not, as many might think, a Monarch Butterfly. It is a Viceroy Butterfly, resting at the base of an Oak Tree along some moss. Unlike Monarchs, Viceroy Butterflies do not migrate south for the winter. Viceroy Butterflies overwinter as caterpillars, resting inside rolled leaves. Once the weather gets a bit colder, this Viceroy will likely perish; but its caterpillar offspring will survive the winter to emerge as new, splendid butterflies.]
At the end of an excellent life! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Beyond decay…
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Don’t lead a skeleton’s life. Ensure that your action has real meaning!
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[This is the remnant skeletal framework of a plant growing along the river bank in the fall season. A diminutive spider can be seen with his handiwork.]
Plant Skeleton. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
(Multi-Photo)*** Don’t see people as draft horses to pull heavy loads for you; see them as…
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Don’t see people as draft horses to pull heavy loads for you; see them as thoroughbreds that are splendid companions.
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[This Burying Beetle is feeding upon a Bracket Mushroom. It would also gladly feed on horse dung or other such material, as well as animal carrion, fallen fruit, and decaying vegetable matter. They are part of nature’s disposal service. The Burying Beetle is mainly found in wooden habitats.]
Fungus Feeder (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Fungus Feeder (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
If you go through life in a slapdash, careless manner…
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If you go through life in a slapdash, careless manner, you’ll not only overlook the beauty of nature, but you’ll also overlook the beauty of helping others kindly.
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[This Common Wood Nymph Butterfly is resting on a leaf. The coloration and size of the Common Wood Nymph Butterfly changes throughout its range in America. It is not so common any more, unfortunately.]
Not so common any longer. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Deeper dimension…
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There is a much deeper dimension to life than what most people think or consider.
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[These are a form of bracket fungus called Polypores on a fallen log (with some leaves of fall upon them). Most Polypores inhabit tree trunks or branches consuming the wood, but some soil-inhabiting species form myycorrhia – a symbiotic relationship with the roots of trees, wherein they blend with the roots intracellularly (i.e., within the wood-root cells) or extracellulary. Polypores and their relatives, corticioid fungi, consist as part of the most important agents of wood decay. Thus they play a very significant role in nutrient and carbon cycles of forest ecosystems.]
Some Bracket Fungus among us! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
The real treasure to find is…
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The real treasure to find is within you yourself; you don’t have to travel or search anywhere (out there) to find it.
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[This is a fluffy, seeding Thistle Plant full of Thistle Plant down. Some insects will nest in a Thistle Plant’s down to keep comfortable. Goldfinches (i.e. little, yellow, wild birds) use the Thistle Plant down for the main material for nest construction; they, additionally, relish Thistle seed.]
A lot of useful fluff! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
The lucidity of insight shatters through the shady recesses of the stale known.
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The lucidity of insight shatters through the shady recesses of the stale known.
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[Golden Mayflies do not feed. With Golden Mayflies, the young naiad nymphs eat diatoms and other algae from the bottom mud and submerged vegetation of lakes, rivers, and ponds.]
Resting Golden Mayfly. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Watch it… sometimes your hobby becomes so intense that it begins to pursue you!
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Watch it… sometimes your hobby becomes so intense that it begins to pursue you!
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[I went out to the backyard (to the bird-feeder) to get a few photos of birds, for a change of pace from all of those insects that I am perpetually pursuing. The following is what came to the bird-feeder. Sorry about that! I’ve been chasing insects for so long, I think they may be following me home! It’s, by the way, a Painted Lady butterfly. Painted Lady butterflies do not eat bird seed… but they do like to be the center of attention! 😉 ]
Just another egotist! (Painted Lady butterfly) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
The epiphany of profound insight may occur when…
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The epiphany of profound insight may occur when the mind is naturally quiet without effort.
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[A Bronze Copper Butterfly. Bronze Copper Butterflies like to frequent wet meadows. They hibernate in the egg stage.]
The Dalmatian of butterflies. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
The simple things in life are often the best and most precious.
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The simple things in life are often the best and most precious.
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[This is an American Toad head study. Based on DNA sequence analysis, the American Toad, Anaxyrus americanus, and related North American species of Anaxyrus, are thought to be descended from an invasion of toads from South America prior to the formation of the Isthmus of Panama land bridge, presumably by way of floating on logs or buoyant plant masses.]
Immigrant from South America! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
The space around a supposedly central ego is a limited (confined) space that…
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The space around a supposedly central ego is a limited (confined) space that encloses and separates… that imprisons. Go beyond egotism.
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[These are various wild plants, including wild Fox Grape Vines and grasses. The seed pods in the center have spiked spears protruding from them.]
Vines and stickers. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
I’m not interested in just nonchalantly passing through life while having a lot of mundane, but essentially superficial, experiences; I want to…
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I’m not interested in just nonchalantly passing through life while having a lot of mundane, but essentially superficial, experiences; I want to delve deep and (no matter what the answer entails) find out about the true essence of the whole and about existence.
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[This is close up study of an adult Mayfly resting upon an outside-oriented window pane. Though the immature “nymph” stage usually lasts around a year (living underwater), the adult stage of this order of insects usually only lives from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the species. The primary function of the adult is reproduction. Eating (for such a short adult span of time) is unnecessary; the mature adults don’t even possess functional mouth parts. Often, they emerge as adults at the same time; that way, predators get satiated and can only eat so many at once, enabling the others to survive (though their time is not long).]
An adult Mayfly: Short-lived but beautiful! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Fingers together…
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Fingers apart are still — and will always be — fingers together!
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[These caterpillars — lined up and looking like puppies for sale and selection at the local pet store — are Milkweed Tussock moth (Euchaetes egle) caterpillars. They are eating and resting on a Milkweed plant. Caterpillars often look a lot different in appearance during each successive molt. Some species have completely different colors, or length of setae (fur-like covering), or may or may not have antennae or horns, for example. The variation between instars is one of the factors that makes it challenging to identify caterpillars.]
Milkweed Tussock moth (Euchaetes egle) caterpillars. This is no puppy mill! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Real passion in life cannot merely be taught. Real passion is…
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Real passion in life cannot merely be taught. Real passion is not for one or two things, it is for the whole!
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[This slender insect is a Conehead Katydid. The Conehead Katydid feeds on flowers and foliage, such as shrubs and trees. Males chirp during the day and sometimes at night with a “tsip-tsip” sound; close-up, the call resembles a continuous, second-long buzz repeated every 2 seconds.]
Katy did it! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Go to nature… where there are no politicians!
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Go to nature… where there are no politicians!
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[This is a group of Hover Flies feeding on nectar from a Goldenrod plant. Many people mistake Hover Flies for bees; they are not bees and do not carry stingers. I love the way that they can hover in one spot (in mid-air), remaining (except for their wings) perfectly still! Adults drink nectar. The larva preys on aphids and the larvae of scale insects. It is considered to be extremely beneficial due to the eating habits of the larvae, aiding in eliminating harmful insects that attack ornamental plants and commercial crops. Often they get quite sociable and will land on you without fear.]
After the gold! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
If you have a really big nose — like I do — don’t be ashamed of it; it’s far better than…
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If you have a really big nose — like I do — don’t be ashamed of it; it’s far better than having a big, fat ego.
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[This is a female Snout Butterfly. They have extensive projecting mouth parts (palpi) that resemble long snouts or noses. Similar to the metalmark butterflies, Snout Butterfly males have four walking legs and the females have six. Only one species occurs north of Mexico. The larva, which grows very rapidly, feeds on Hackberry.]
What a snoz! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Dorothy (from the Wizard of Oz): If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any…
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Dorothy (from the Wizard of Oz): If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with!
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[Monarch Butterfly eating from Rosy Strife Flowers.]
Close to home! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
A true teacher is a “learning assistant” and fellow learner… not a manipulator or puppeteer!
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A true teacher is a “learning assistant” and fellow learner… not a manipulator or puppeteer!
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[This is a red Harvestman… often called a Daddy-longlegs. They have no venom and are harmless to human beings. Harvestmen have what are called Chelicerae, which in spiders are hollow in order to deliver venom, but in Harvestmen they are primarily used to grasp food; no venom is involved.]
Not a Mommy-shortlegs! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Don’t compare yourself with others… be what and who you are (in wise harmony with the whole).
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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
Be an oasis of goodness and order in a world that contains…
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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
True joy exists far deeper than superficial desires.
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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
To hate others involves despising images that are part of one’s own consciousness. Intelligently go beyond hate.
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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
I’ve seen the sunset from an eternal shore.
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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
Feel and care beyond yourself.
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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
Walking on water…
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Plenitude of insight exists with (and “as”) direct and simple clarity (beyond mere symbols).
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[There’s some simple clarity here! These aren’t skydivers dropping down to earth… they’re the insects known as Water Striders; they “walk” on water! Water Striders use their forelegs to grab insects trapped by the water’s surface tension and also to make ripples to communicate with each other. (We use sound waves when we talk/communicate!) They use their middle legs for rowing and their hindlegs for steering. There is a living clam to the lower left.]
Having the time of their lives! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
When you’ve been out in nature photographing over the years so long that the insects come and land on you… maybe it’s time — like so many do — to…
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When you’ve been out in nature photographing over the years so long that the insects come and land on you… maybe it’s time — like so many do — to stay indoors! 😉
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[This is a Red Admiral Butterfly. When the insects come to you… doing macro photography is a whole lot easier! 🙂 ]
Another six-legged friend! (2) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Another six-legged friend! (1) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Unfolding out of the folds…
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The universe is expanding and unfolding — like a beautiful flower — and we (especially when we are open and caring) are part of the blossoming.
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[This is a photo of a lily flower blossoming. In the flower, you can see the pistil and the various (topped in yellow) stamen. It is also a photo of the universe unfolding out of the folds. 😉 ]
Unfolding out of the folds. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. — Aristotle
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Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. — Aristotle
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[This is a Southern Cloudy Wing Skipper. They prefer wooded margins, especially near clover and other legumes upon which the larvae feed.]
Favorite resting place. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Peace among friends…
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Nonviolence, like love and true meditation, is not a mere practice. One can’t practice what is alive, heartfelt, and beyond gross methodology.
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[Male Eastern Tailed-Blue Butterfly with a flying visitor. These butterflies have approximately a one inch wingspan. These butterflies often feed on seeds and flowers of a wide variety of plants in the pea family, including clovers, beans, and wild peas.]
Peaceful friends. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
A great ride is a healthy ride…
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Many of us take immaculate care of our overly fancy cars — filling them with top quality fuels and oils — while we guzzle sugar, starch, wine, and fatty foods like there’s no tomorrow. We must change!
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[Many flowers — like this one — are superb and healthy places for insects to get needed nourishment; there’s plenty of protein and vitamins from pollen and energy from nectar; plus the view, while eating, is often spectacular! (They don’t have to put flowers on their dining tables!)]
A beautiful and healthy place to eat! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
In a rotten society, don’t be a mere pawn; act beyond the rigidity, the…
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In a rotten society, don’t be a mere pawn; act beyond the rigidity, the cold indifference, and beyond the crass mediocrity.
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[This caterpillar is a Salt Marsh Moth Caterpillar. Although they are decidedly hairy, the hairs are not as dense or as stiff as those found in Woollybear larvae.The farmers in the area will tell you what all that extra fuzziness means… it means we are in for a terrible and harsh winter! Prepare! 😉 ]
Get ready for a long, harsh winter! 😉 Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
It’s easy to belong to a group, a gang, or a herd; but to stand alone and…
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It’s easy to belong to a group, a gang, or a herd; but to stand alone and think and feel for yourself is arduous!
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[This is, of course, a Praying Mantis; it is a Chinese Mantid. I will often, when I find them, pick them up and let them climb on my hands. At first, they bite viciously and don’t like it; but most, after around a minute or so, tame down and don’t want to leave your hand; apparently, it’s too much fun for them… the equivalent of a carnival ride or something! They love traveling from hand to hand on your fingers! At least that’s how they behave around here. I only encountered one that persistently didn’t want anything to do with me. Their long front “arms” are used as spike-vices to capture and subdue prey. Often, they will “sway” back and forth with their entire body before striking something, simulating a twig or branch in the breeze! They actively hunt or – often – they simply wait for something to come along. (Alien-like for sure!)]
There are aliens among us! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
One can look young on the outside and be stale and old on the inside. One can be young on the inside and…
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One can look young on the outside and be stale and old on the inside. One can be young on the inside and appear elderly on the outside.
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[This is an Acorn Weevil. They use their long snouts to drill and burrow into acorns. This one was photographed adjacent to a large oak tree. The adult female weevil bores a tiny hole in the immature acorn to lay her eggs, which then hatch into legless grubs. In the fall, the grubs bore holes through the shells from the inside to emerge into the soil where they may live for a year or two before maturing into adults. So these insects are frequently boring… like a lot of politicians these days!]
Boring like our politicians! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Internal disarray and disorder projects out as…
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Internal disarray and disorder projects out as external disorderliness and chaos. Be orderly and stable.
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[This butterfly is a Black Swallowtail. Some males have very little blue on the hindwing. These butterflies frequent clover and garden flowers, usually flying very near to the ground.]
Beautiful and pristine! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Even one little drop of deep, heartfelt love can conquer vast darkness and begin to warm this planet!
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Even one little drop of deep, heartfelt love can conquer vast darkness and begin to warm this planet!
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[Raindrop on a flower petal which holds the illuminating heart of love. (No special techniques were used to alter the natural imagery of this photograph.)]
Heartfelt drop of passion. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Real learning is often an ongoing unlearning… a true and fresh reexamination!
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Real learning is often an ongoing unlearning… a true and fresh reexamination!
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[This is an annual Cicada. They are the loud noise-makers high up in the trees. Larvae of annual Cicadas take only five years to reach maturity; there are new batches, however, which emerge every year. The periodical Cicadas emerge once every 17 or 13 years.]
Singer of songs… an annual Cicada. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
(Multi-photo)*** The silence that naturally — without practice — occurs between two sets of thoughts…
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The silence that naturally — without practice — occurs between two sets of thoughts… can be the beginning of profound wisdom and deep insight.
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[This insect is a Broad-winged Katydid. Note (in the second photo) the openings on its front legs. Those openings are its ears! When one is a rather “narrow” insect… what better way is there to have true stereophonic hearing than to have your ears located precisely where your broad legs are?!]
Katy did… but I didn’t! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Those sexy legs have ears! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
(Multi-photo)*** Real perception is direct and present… not second-hand and hand-me-down.
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Real perception is direct and present… not second-hand and hand-me-down.
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[This insect is a Burying Beetle. These beetles bury the carcass of a small bird or mammal in a shallow pit. Their larvae hatch and feed on the carcass; adults feed on carrion and fly larvae. Eating fly larvae gets rid of your competition while providing you with lots of needed protein.]
Stealing some sweets. (1) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Stealing some sweets (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
(Multi-photo)*** This is not a grasshopper.
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This is not a grasshopper.
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[There is that very famous painting, entitled “The Treachery of Images” (1928-1929), by the late Belgian painter, Rene Magritte. (He is one of my favorite painters, by the way!) The painting has the words, in French, stating: “This is not a pipe.” This is so very true. It’s an image of a pipe and is not (at all) a real pipe. So many of us think, using symbols (which all thoughts and mental images are) without ever really looking directly without all the imagery and thought. We look through (and “as”) the screen of thought and rarely (if ever) see directly (without the imagery). Both paintings and thoughts are (in a big way) virtual. Real intelligence can go beyond that. What most of us see, unfortunately, is often just an empty shell of what really is.
The following picture is not a grasshopper. Even if it were a macro photograph of a live grasshopper… it would still not truly be a grasshopper. It is not a dead grasshopper. It is a photograph of a grasshopper’s exoskeleton… the outer shell of an insect which insects shed from time to time as they grow and enlarge. But it really is not a grasshopper’s exoskeleton… and what you see is often what you were taught, and what you were taught is often what you see. ;)]
This is not a grasshopper. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
The Treachery of Images… by Rene Magritte
A deceitful, twisted, distorted mind, unfortunately, does not perceive the truth. An honest, direct, undistorted mind…
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A deceitful, twisted, distorted mind, unfortunately, does not perceive the truth. An honest, direct, undistorted mind runs parallel with the truth.
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[Wild Fox Grape vine; this particular plant is dazed and confused!]
Foolish and confused! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Ponder beyond the ordinary. Go deep beyond the superficial.
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Ponder beyond the ordinary. Go deep beyond the superficial.
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[A grasshopper with yellow coloration and nicely colored, large compound eyes.]
Going deep! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
To habitually take refuge in old fashioned beliefs may be like…
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To habitually take refuge in old fashioned beliefs may be like finding protection in a violent rainstorm by depending on an old metal umbrella.
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[This is a moth and is a Bilobed Looper Moth. They feed on alfalfa, clover, and an assortment of other plants. It hibernates as a pupa in a thin cocoon.]
Just another vegetarian! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
(Multi-photo)*** Don’t be a second-hand copy… inquire about the whole of life independently.
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Don’t be a second-hand copy… inquire about the whole of life independently.
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[Close-up of a Widow Dragonfly resting. The young nymphs reside underwater and feed on small aquatic insects and fish. Adults like to hang on grasses and twigs of pondside shrubbery.]
Widow Dragonfly (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Widow Dragonfly (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Widow Dragonfly (3). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
(Multi-photo)*** Perhaps, in a quantum oriented, holistic cosmos…
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Perhaps, in a quantum oriented, holistic cosmos… the web of time need not always be based merely on limited, standard patterns based on sequential cause and effect occurrences.
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[An Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly resting by a lake. (It’s impossible for a spider — fossilized and trapped in Baltic Amber for 50 million years — to traverse the web of time to an amber dragonfly in this day and age.)]
Touched by amber! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Affixed in timeless amber! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 