The autumn air has a special clarity and the sunlight a special golden quality. At this time of the year butterflies and other insects are particularly noticeable.
Several insects caught my eye today, not in my garden but in a garden we visited in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands countryside. Here are some of the photographs I took today.
A Gaudy Commodore living up to its name
A Chafer Beetle glinting in the autumn sunshine
A Dragonfly against the blue, blue sky
A delicate Damselfly, far less robust than the Dragonfly pictured above
My encounter with the Flower Mantids last week has led me to pay more attention to flowering shrubs, and when out with my camera today I was pleasantly surprised to find a diversity of insects in a small stretch of space and time.
Many of us tend to rush about a lot for much of each and every day, and in our busyness perhaps miss more than we find. Paradoxically, by sitting quietly we may find meaning we were not consciously looking for, and by focussing our awareness we may broaden our horizons and deepen our appreciation of life.
Posted by Carol
May 27, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Very encouraging to see such an array of insects.
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May 30, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Yes it is. I am often struck by the fact that there are far fewer insects in evidence than when I was a child. It must have diminishing effect on other animals too.
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May 26, 2018 at 10:00 am
Beautiful post, Carol, both words and photos. And your message is timely for me as it echoes my own thoughts very closely at present. I have a particular stretch on my usual walk which I’ve taken to approaching differently. I stand still and quiet and simply watch. I thought I saw a lot whilst walking. I see even more when I stop 🙂
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May 27, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Thanks so much Sandra. Glad what I said resonated, and it is true that being still enables one to observe so much that would otherwise be missed.
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May 25, 2018 at 9:10 pm
As I have aged I have found myself more capable of taking the time to really stop and stare and in doing so I find myself more and more drawn to insects. This selection is out of this world. I am a particular fan of dragonflies and your photo is exceptional. The French word for dragonfly is ‘le libellule’ which I think fits them beautifully – dragonfly was something that made me scared of them as a child 😱
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May 27, 2018 at 6:37 pm
Even as a teenager I liked that poem, perhaps because it granted me a licence to stand and stare – something I have always been inclined to do, though I often felt it to be a guilty pleasure. It is interesting that the dragonfly has many names with negative connotations. I looked up the French name and see that it perhaps relates to dragonflies hovering while maintaining a level position? Anyway, the name itself sounds very pretty. Perhaps it is their large staring eyes and predatory habits that make people uneasy about them, even though they are very beautiful.
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May 27, 2018 at 10:27 pm
Standing and staring is a much under-rated occupation in this far too fast world of ours. I hadn’t thought of the roots of the name in French but yes, that does make sense and whatever it’s origins I do find it a very pleasing name. They are extremely beautiful and your picture is stunning.
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May 25, 2018 at 7:58 pm
What a terrific collection of photos!
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May 25, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Thanks so much.
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May 25, 2018 at 6:03 pm
It is amazing what you cam actually ‘see’ when you take the time to look. Lovely shots, Carol!
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May 25, 2018 at 7:56 pm
Thanks Pete. Yes it is amazing – it seems that there are lots of other worlds functioning all around us that we are seldom even aware of.
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May 25, 2018 at 5:15 am
Your photographs are superb and I take to heart your last paragraph – I often feel the same and realise we need to MAKE the time to sit quietly.
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May 25, 2018 at 6:26 am
Thank you Anne. I do agree, and perhaps that is another paradox – that quietness requires real engagement even if we tend to think it is disengagement?
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May 25, 2018 at 1:18 am
“In our busyness perhaps miss more than we find”….so true, Carol.
Love all your ‘finds’ in the garden.
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May 25, 2018 at 6:17 am
Thanks Sandy. I know that you actively seek out tranquility and all its richness.
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May 25, 2018 at 1:01 am
Enjoyed your photos and thoughts thank you!
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May 25, 2018 at 6:12 am
And thank you 😊
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May 25, 2018 at 12:44 am
Good eye and superb photos, Carol.
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May 25, 2018 at 6:11 am
Thanks very much Eliza 😊
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May 24, 2018 at 11:22 pm
That dragonfly is gorgeous!!
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May 25, 2018 at 6:09 am
Thanks Roda. It is not one I often see. It is very striking.
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May 25, 2018 at 11:21 am
I agree!
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May 24, 2018 at 8:34 pm
Great photos. Insects are so interesting.
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May 25, 2018 at 5:57 am
Thanks Graham. And re insects, small is beautiful and definitely interesting 🐞 ☺
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