Year: 2018

Narrowleaf Color Study

A cluster of Narrowleaf milkweed blossoms in beyond the Milky Way.
  • Photo of a cluster of Narrowleaf milkweed blossoms through an after midnight filter.
    A cluster of Narrowleaf milkweed blossoms through an after midnight filter.
  • Photo of three Narrowleaf seed pods, lots of seeds, no special color effects.
    Narrowleaf seed pods, lots of seeds, no special color effects.
  • Photo of Narrowleaf seed pods green burn against textured purple.
    Narrowleaf seed pods green burn against textured purple.
  • Photo of Narrowleaf milkweed pods, burned green outlines, dead grass fragments fading into the background texture.
    Narrowleaf milkweed pods, burned green outlines, dead grass fragments fading into the background texture.
  • Photo of Narrowleaf pods burning blue and purple, surrounded by spring's spent stems and grasses.
    Narrowleaf pods burning blue and purple.
  • Photo of cluster of narrow leaf milkweed blossoms in soft, light green and dark rust, with leaves of purple-tinged pink.
    A cluster of Narrowleaf milkweed blossoms in beyond the Milky Way.

Pictures based on photos of Narrowleaf milkweed that I took while exploring Santa Monica mountain trails this summer. I stop for flowers and pods.

The Sapient Ones

One day the sapient stepped away from the sentient declaring:“Let us be self-aware and luxuriate in a conscience to some degree!”We created myths to define the truth of how this came to be, Spoken words, written words; textured, lovely words to explainHow we found ourselves in possession of a throne on earth. We thought it… Continue reading The Sapient Ones

Published
Categorized as Poetry

Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa californica

A carpenter bee with lots of pollen collected on the scopae (hairs) of her hind legs.

We are the Xylocopa, more commonly known as the carpenter bee. Xylocopa is a member of the Apidae family. Our relatives include our naturalized European cousin the honey bee, Apis mellifera and the Bombus species, common name bumblebee. By the way, A. mellifera will not sting unless its life or nest is threatened. The author… Continue reading Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa californica

Praying Mantis: The Nymphs Hatch

Stagmomantis Limbata Nymph, Approximately Two Days After Hatching

In a recent post I wrote about a female praying mantis, probably of the species Stagmomantis limbata, that spent last summer stalking other insects from her camouflage perch on a balloon plant milkweed. In late summer, when she was about four inches long, this formidable apex predator among insects produced an ootheca, an egg case… Continue reading Praying Mantis: The Nymphs Hatch