All Posts Tagged ‘Steve Irwin’

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Untethered freedom is not…

October 15, 2014
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Untethered freedom is not mesmerized by authority’s lopsided systems and structures…  additionally, it is full of deep order, intelligence, and integrity.  

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[This is a web-free Crab Spider in Phlox Flowers.  Most Crab Spiders do not form webs.  Crab Spiders, as we have shown, often change in chameleon-like fashion to suit their needs.  They are usually found in flowers, even garden flowers.

Additional note:   I will be posting more spiders (and similar creatures) in the Halloween month of October.  It is neat that they are part of an old Halloween tradition (that is fun for kids).  However, it is unfortunate that many children grow up associating spiders with “being frightened” and as “terrible creatures to be horrified of.”  As the late, superb naturalist, Steve Irwin often propounded, spiders and snakes can indeed be seen to be majestic, marvelous animals, truly beautiful in their own ways.  We must, as Steve Irwin so graciously suggested before his untimely passing, be far better caretakers of Mother Earth.]

Crabby and waiting! Crab Spider in Phlox Flowers. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Crabby and waiting! Crab Spider in Phlox Flowers. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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(Multi-photo)*** The fears and hopes that exist in one…

October 11, 2014
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The fears and hopes that exist in one… may not at all be separate from what one is.

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[Marbled Orb Weaver Spiders make spiraling orb webs built on low trees, shrubs, or grasses.  Marbled Orb Weaver Spiders make a retreat in curled leaves or, if the web is on a tree, under bark.  This one was in our yard near the river bank and was tough to photograph from its top side (i.e., dorsal side); its eyes are pretty good a seeing approaching visitors and it would quickly retreat into a curled leaf!  However, I was better able to approach it in the evening!  Notice how it is simultaneously spinning web and tightening web with separate legs! (I usually can’t do two things at once!)

Additional note:   I will be posting more spiders (and similar creatures) in the Halloween month of October.  It is neat that they are part of an old Halloween tradition (that is fun for kids).  However, it is unfortunate that many children grow up associating spiders with “being frightened” and as “terrible creatures to be horrified of.”  As the late, superb naturalist, Steve Irwin often propounded, spiders and snakes can indeed be seen to be majestic, marvelous animals, truly beautiful in their own ways.  We must, as Steve Irwin so graciously suggested before his untimely passing, be far better caretakers of Mother Earth.]

Different and colorful! Marbled Orb Weaver Spider. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Different and colorful! Marbled Orb Weaver Spider. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Interesting marbled design! Marbled Orb Weaver Spider. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Interesting marbled design! Marbled Orb Weaver Spider. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

 

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Ponder beyond the ordinary. Go deep beyond the superficial.

October 10, 2014
4 comments

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Ponder beyond the ordinary.  Go deep beyond the superficial.

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[This is a Crab Spider in an Viola Flower.  Crab Spiders act like chameleons and usually change to be the color of the particular flower that they are in… as they wait for winged prey to capture.  This one should have made itself more yellow, but… considering the sprig hanging by this flower, this spider didn’t do too bad; I almost didn’t see it!

Additional note:   I will be posting more spiders (and similar creatures) in the Halloween month of October.  It is neat that they are part of an old Halloween tradition (that is fun for kids).  However, it is unfortunate that many children grow up associating spiders with “being frightened” and as “terrible creatures to be horrified of.”  As the late, superb naturalist, Steve Irwin often propounded, spiders and snakes can indeed be seen to be majestic, marvelous animals, truly beautiful in their own ways.  We must, as Steve Irwin so graciously suggested before his untimely passing, be far better caretakers of Mother Earth.]

Almost missed. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Almost missed. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

 

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(Multi-photo)*** True love goes beyond the affinity due to attractiveness. Love the less beautiful (that are also truly beautiful).

October 8, 2014
1 comment

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True love goes beyond the affinity due to attractiveness.  Love the less beautiful (that are also truly beautiful).

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[This is a Phidippus Jumping Spider.  It’s difficult to sneak up on a Jumping Spider; their multiple eyes easily detect others in their environment. They are harmless to human beings.  I have some Jumping Spiders in 50 million year old amber which I will post at a later time.

Additional note:   I will be posting more spiders (and similar creatures) in the Halloween month of October.  It is neat that they are part of an old Halloween tradition (that is fun for kids).  However, it is unfortunate that many children grow up associating spiders with “being frightened” and as “terrible creatures to be horrified of.”  As the late, superb naturalist, Steve Irwin often propounded, spiders and snakes can indeed be seen to be majestic, marvelous animals, truly beautiful in their own ways.  We must, as Steve Irwin so graciously suggested before his untimely passing, be far better caretakers of Mother Earth.]

Tightrope climber! (Jumping Spider) (1) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Tightrope climber! (Jumping Spider) (1) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Tightrope climber! (Jumping Spider) (2) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Tightrope climber! (Jumping Spider) (2) Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

 

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Real beauty is…

October 7, 2014
6 comments

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Real beauty is much deeper than what you can see!

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[Many Wolf Spiders hunt during the day.  Wolf Spiders have excellent vision and a highly developed sense of touch.  Male Wolf Spiders wave  and motion with their large, often hairy pedipalps in a rhythmic pattern as they approach suitable female mates.

Additional note:   I will be posting more spiders (and similar creatures) in the Halloween month of October.  It is neat that they are part of an old Halloween tradition (that is fun for kids).  However, it is unfortunate that many children grow up associating spiders with “being frightened” and as “terrible creatures to be horrified of.”  As the late, superb naturalist, Steve Irwin often propounded, spiders and snakes can indeed be seen to be majestic, marvelous animals, truly beautiful in their own ways.  We must, as Steve Irwin so graciously suggested before his untimely passing, be far better caretakers of Mother Earth.]

 

The better to see you with, my dear! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

The better to see you with, my dear! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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(Multi-Photo)*** Many are caught in the limitation and web of mundane time; very few, unfortunately, go…

October 6, 2014
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Many are caught in the limitation and web of mundane time; very few, unfortunately, go beyond that barrier. 

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[This spider, in our backyard (down by the river bank), won the lottery!  This spider is an Orb-weaver that is likely a Barn Spider (due, partly, to the whitish hairs on its legs).  Orb-weaver spider webs are dismantled (consumed) by the spider at the end of each night, and are rebuilt early the next evening; but this spider had too much to consume!  She hit the jackpot!  Count them all!

Additional note:   I will be posting more spiders (and similar creatures) in the Halloween month of October.  It is neat that they are part of an old Halloween tradition (that is fun for kids).  However, it is unfortunate that many children grow up associating spiders with “being frightened” and as “terrible creatures to be horrified of.”  As the late, superb naturalist, Steve Irwin often propounded, spiders and snakes can indeed be seen to be majestic, marvelous animals, truly beautiful in their own ways.  We must, as Steve Irwin so graciously suggested before his untimely passing, be far better caretakers of Mother Earth.]

Orb Weaver Spider's Bonanza Catch (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Orb Weaver Spider’s Bonanza Catch (1). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Orb Weaver Spider's Bonanza Catch (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Orb Weaver Spider’s Bonanza Catch (2). Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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Fear…

October 3, 2014
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Fear — unless there is an immediate physical danger in the environment — is often based on patterns and images in (and “as”) time that are projected as “what might be.”

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[Nursery Web Spiders may sit quietly for hours, legs spread out on vegetation, a large rock, or on a boat dock… or they may actively hunt in vegetation.  Nursery Web Spiders have excellent vision.

Additional Note:  I will be posting more spiders (and similar creatures) in the Halloween month of October.  It is neat that they are part of an old Halloween tradition (that is fun for kids).  However, it is unfortunate that many children grow up associating spiders with “being frightened” and as “terrible creatures to be horrified of.”  As the late, superb naturalist, Steve Irwin often propounded, spiders and snakes can indeed be seen to be majestic, marvelous animals, truly beautiful in their own ways.  We must, as Steve Irwin so graciously suggested before his untimely passing, be far better caretakers of Mother Earth.]

Rock-a-bye Baby. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Rock-a-bye Baby. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

 

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Societies and authorities weave an intricate, complex web. Unwind into what is simple, pure, and unadulterated!

October 2, 2014
2 comments

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Societies and authorities weave an intricate, complex web.  Unwind into what is simple, pure, and unadulterated!

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[This is a reddish Harvestman.  Notice the shadow of the Havestman upon the leaf.  Harvestmen are arachnids, but they are not spiders and do not make webs to catch insects.  Harvestmen are also called Daddy-long-legs.  There are 200 species of Harvestmen in North America… 4,500 to 5,000 worldwide.  They are harmless to human beings (and eat many pests, such as flies).

Additional note:   I will be posting more spiders (and similar creatures) in the Halloween month of October.  It is neat that they are part of an old Halloween tradition (that is fun for kids).  However, it is unfortunate that many children grow up associating spiders with “being frightened” and as “terrible creatures to be horrified of.”  As the late, superb naturalist, Steve Irwin often propounded, spiders and snakes can indeed be seen to be majestic, marvelous animals, truly beautiful in their own ways.  We must, as Steve Irwin so graciously suggested before his untimely passing, be far better caretakers of Mother Earth.]

Long Legs 4 sure! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Long Legs 4 sure! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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It is extremely easy to “fit in” to what others of authority maintain is normal and acceptable. Don’t be their shadow.

October 1, 2014
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It is extremely easy to “fit in” to what others of authority maintain is normal and acceptable.  Don’t be their shadow.

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[Spider Silhouette.

I will be posting more spiders (and similar creatures) in the Halloween month of October.  It is neat that they are part of an old Halloween tradition (that is fun for kids).  However, it is unfortunate that many children grow up associating spiders with “being frightened” and as “terrible creatures to be horrified of.”  As the late, superb naturalist, Steve Irwin often propounded, spiders and snakes can indeed be seen to be majestic, marvelous animals, truly beautiful in their own ways.  Perhaps what’s truly horrifying is human beings who do not care enough (and who do not do enough) about the environment.  We must, as Steve Irwin so graciously suggested before his untimely passing, be far better caretakers of Mother Earth.]

Spider Silhouette. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Spider Silhouette. Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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(Multi-photo)*** Don’t merely try to run from your fears; they are not separate from what you are.

August 18, 2014
5 comments

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Don’t merely try to run from your fears; they are not separate from what you are.

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[This spider (full of stereoscopic eyes that see all around it) is a Fishing Spider (resting along a river bank).  This is one of my favorites.  I think they are incredible!  If you dislike them or are afraid of them, please (like the late, wonderful naturalist Steve Irwin used to suggest) look at them and be appreciative of them without “learned hatred” and try to see them without prejudice.  They don’t make webbing (except for a silken nursery to protect their young).  They actively hunt (and roam) along the river for small creatures to eat.  They are lightning fast!  I also photographed a super big one carrying its huge egg sac up our gazebo near the river.  The size of that one was rather shocking!  I’ll post photos of that mama later on some time.]

Enough eyes to see all around it! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Enough eyes to see all around it! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Fast as lightning! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

Fast as lightning! Photo by Thomas Peace 2014

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Snakes Alive! :0 Multi-Photo…

July 16, 2013
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.     Snakes Alive!   :0    Multi-Photo…

A lot of people were taught to (and also innately) fear and hate snakes.  All my life i’ve admired them for their true beauty and excellence (as some of God’s amazing creatures).  When Steve Irwin died, i cried and cried and cried; for he was a brilliant and wonderful spokesman for the true beauty and joy of snakes/spiders and similar creatures.   Steve was such a supreme spokesperson for all of life’s amazing wildlife.  When he died young… a lot of species — here on this earth where many animals are cruelly abused — lost their most important, kindhearted friend.  

When very young, i used to briefly catch snakes just to admire them; then i’d release them back into the greenery.  We had a large family picnic recently, and i purchased a lot of rubber/plastic snakes for the young boys of the family (of which there are many).  While purchasing them, the cashier at the store cringed, and stated that she hated snakes.  She then went on to say that she and her mother recently killed one that was in her mother’s yard.  Many people kill snakes when they see one.   I informed her that there are really no poisonous snakes in northern Illinois  — the Massasauga is basically extinct and is illegal to kill if found — and that snakes are very beneficial in that they eat disease carrying vermin such as rats and mice.

Below are a few photos of a large Bullsnake that was in our yard recently.  It gave off a wonderful fake rattling sound when it was curled around some dried leaves (at one point).  It was beginning to shed its skin, so i grabbed it by the tail and moved it to where it could safely get under our gazebo.  It was large and awesome… a beautiful, incredible animal!     😉

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Bullsnake (1)... by Thomas Peace 2013

Bullsnake (1)… by Thomas Peace 2013

Bullsnake (2)... by Thomas Peace 2013

Bullsnake (2)… by Thomas Peace 2013

Bullsnake (3)... by Thomas Peace 2013

Bullsnake (3)… by Thomas Peace 2013