Category: Natural History
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Another Caterpillar Season
Look closely at nature. Every species is a masterpiece, exquisitely adapted to the particular environment in which it has survived. Who are we to destroy or even diminish biodiversity? ~E.O. Wilson Yes, it is finally crawling to a close, another season of caterpillar searching, wrangling, and releasing. This one a bit less productive than some Read more…
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Moth Jets
If you examine a butterfly according to the laws of aerodynamics, it shouldn’t be able to fly. But the butterfly doesn’t know that, so it flies. ~Howard Schultz I’m not sure anyone could use that quote when describing the sphinx moths. They certainly look like they were made to fly and I have always been Read more…
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Caterpillar Countdown
Beauty can come in strange forms. ~James Dyson I thought about not saying anything else in this post other than the quote above, because it really does sum up what we found one night this week. Yes, it is that time of year again when we caterpillar-lovers are out and about searching for something cool, Read more…
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Grubosaurus Update
You always end up getting involved in things because of, you know, the strange things your life brings you into contact with. ~Edward Norton I have had a couple of unusual “pets” these past few months. You may recall in an earlier post, I reported on receiving some orphaned Eastern Hercules Beetle grubs one day Read more…
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Camp Critters II
Children should be encouraged to watch patiently and quietly, until they learn something of the habits and history of bee, ant, wasp, spider, hairy caterpillar, dragon-fly, and whatever of larger growth comes in their way. ~Charlotte Mason Summer camp at work has been over for a week now. The decks of our building are quiet, Read more…
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Surrounded by Swallowtails
Tremendous beauty can be found in the tiniest of things… for who has ever thought to rival that of a butterfly’s wing. ~Kristen D’Angelo Every few years, we have a population high of swallowtails here in our woods. This year has been exceptional with the greatest numbers of these large butterflies that I have witnessed. Read more…
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Moth Week Plus
I’ve always preferred moths to butterflies. They aren’t flashy or cocky; they mind their own business and just try to blend in with their surroundings and live their lives. ~Kayla Krantz National Moth Week ended yesterday and I managed to miss most of it for a variety of lame reasons. But, even though I failed Read more…
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Feeling Antsy
Ants are everywhere, but only occasionally noticed. They run much of the terrestrial world as the premier soil turners, channelers of energy, dominatrices of the insect fauna… ~Bert Holldobler The more I learn about them, the more I appreciate plants. Working at the NC Botanical Garden allows me to see the passage of time through Read more…
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Camp Critters
If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in. ~Rachel Carson It is summer camp time at work and it has been busy these past few Read more…
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Bearly Awake
Each day holds a surprise. ~Henry Nouwen Melissa and I have been with Mom this week helping take care of the many things that require attention when a family member passes. It has been a busy few days, though I managed to take Mom to Damascus last night for a little relaxation at their annual Read more…
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Roads End Naturalist 