Soft Awakening

 

Unlike us, ladybugs can't generate their own body heat. When you see them sitting still like this in the morning, they are often basking. 

They orient themselves to catch the maximum amount of sunlight, essentially using their body as tiny solar panels to get their muscles warm enough to fly.

Generally, life is good.

A Love Story in September

On the edge of summer, a sunflower becomes both home and haven.

***

Last summer (hard to believe it’s already behind us), I often found myself surrounded by grasshoppers, some of the most patient little subjects I’ve ever met. 

As autumn approached, I wondered what happens to them in autumn.  

Their lives are brief, yet before the season ends, the females leave hundreds of tiny eggs tucked safely in the soil. Through the quiet of winter, those hidden seeds of life wait, until spring awakens them and the grasshoppers return, continuing the rhythm of the seasons.

Generally, life is good.

Hanging Out, Literally

Damselflies.

Early morning. The dragonflies are still snoozing on dry flowers, pretending the day hasn’t started. 

And me? Armed only with a telephoto lens, as if I’d come to hunt elephants instead of insects. 

Probably the whole story would have turned out differently if I’d packed my macro lens but I was lazy. The rule of survival: shoot with what you’ve got and hope it works.

Generally, life is good.

Bridge Into Eternity

 

Generally, life is good.

Pollinator at Work - IV.

 

Generally, life is good.

On a Long Journey

 

So far, grasshoppers have been my main stars—occasionally joined by bees, who graciously allow a photo or two. It’s not much, but hey, better than nothing, right?

Generally, life is good.

Pollinator at Work - III

The setting was perfect, and the bee was unusually cooperative. I only wish moments like this happened more often.

Generally, life is good.

Aviator in Flight

 

A male Emperor Dragonfly. 

Generally, life is good.

 

Pollinator at Work - II.

Generally, life is good.

Intimate Portrait

Immature Short-horned Grasshopper.

This charming little fellow posed like a pro. No complaints, no sudden jumps—just pure photogenic grace. I’m eternally grateful for his unexpected cooperation.

Generally, life is good.

Caught in Mid-thought

 

A Meadowhawk dragonfly is balancing between earth and sky.

Generally, life is good.

Yesterday

Yesterday in the mountains, dragonflies treated me like a paparazzo—one move and they were gone.  The bees were clearly on a tight pollen-collecting schedule. 

The only one who didn’t care was the tiny grasshopper, who seemed to say, Go ahead, take your shots—I’m not doing anything interesting anyway.

Generally, life is good.

A Damselfly

Damselfly is almost invisible, small and transparent. It circles above the grass, choose the highest stem and freeze on it.

Generally, life is good.

Chasing Butterflies - II.

Swallowtail butterflies.

Generally, life is good.

Chasing Butterflies - I

Swallowtail butterflies.

This morning, I embarked on a "grand" adventure: literally chasing butterflies. My weapon of choice? A macro lens. The results? Mostly blurry whispers of wings. 

Disappointing, to say the least. It was until I swapped my futile macro lens for a "mighty" telephoto, and suddenly the little winged acrobats finally decided to cooperate.

Generally, life is good.

Peekaboo Little Green

 

Just a little Common Green grasshopper, contemplating all the jumps he's about to take.

Generally, life is good.

Tent Moths Caterpillars in Their Home

When I first started discovering macro photography, I had no idea what an unfamiliar and deeply hidden world it would lead me into. 

So, last Saturday I accidentally stumbled upon Eastern tent caterpillars and their home. They will soon develop into Eastern tent moths. 

 

***

Eastern tent caterpillars are social insects. They build their silky "tents" in the forks of trees. This tent serves as their communal home.

The tent provides caterpillars with shelter from birds and wasps and from rain or strong sun. 

It acts like a miniature greenhouse, helping them regulate their body temperature. They can move within the layers of the tent to find warmer or cooler spots as needed.

Generally, life is good.

In the World of Cacti

 

 Largus californicus or squash bugs were found on a cactus in the Wasatch Mountains.  

Generally, life is good.

Little Traveler in the World of Cacti

 A Cactus Bug, likely in the genus Chelinidea.

 

Generally, life is good.