Sun soaking turtles, enjoying the warm afternoon rays at Lincoln Park’s North Pond, Chicago. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
habitat
Seasonal traveler…
Green Heron
Careful observation at Lincoln Park’s North Pond can reveal unique birds. This Green Heron (Butorides virenscens) probably wintered in the southern States or Central America. In the South they frequent coastal areas or Mangrove swamps. In the Midwest they are content to residency by ponds and wetlands. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Airy resurrection…
This resurrection is an air Fern known for going dormant or dead-like during times of drought and then vibrantly returning with a little rain. The Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodiodes) is an air fern, attaching to live Oak trees and obtaining it’s nutrients and moisture from the air.
Remergence of the Resurrection Fern. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Mini ecosystem on this tropical tree including the Resurrection Fern. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Not what it seems…
Spanish moss adds mood o the scene. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
It is a prolific plant in Florida. Visitors are told that Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is an invasive, choking pest, harming trees and other plants that it inhabits. Its dense clusters do seem to cover its hosts. The strange truth is that it is a member of the pineapple family; with tiny flowers that I have yet to see because to see them requires a microscope. I have tried zooming in on the photographs I’ve taken but have yet to find any flower; so perhaps my timing was off, and I did not capture them during their bloom time.
Truth is that Spanish Moss, aka Grandpa’s Beard, is an air plant getting its food and water from the atmosphere. Its host plants provide only a resting place though it has been known to be so dense that the host plant does not enough sunlight and therefore suffers. Folklore is that the plant, “The Meanest Man That Ever Lived”, was from an old man’s hair that grew very, very long and caught on the trees. Things are often not what they seem. But the stories are fun.
Grandpa’s Beard?! Coyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Beautiful and eerie. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Close-up Spanish Moss. Copyright 2018, Pamela Breitberg
Tree enveloped by Spanish Moss. Copyright 2018, Pamela Breitberg
Welcome back to the World…
The Butterfly World in Coconut Creek Florida seems like a world to itself. Today I am sharing a few images from last winter’s visit. They reopened today: https://www.butterflyworld.com/hurricane-closure-and-preparation/, and will release the butterflies and finches back into their outdoor habitats. There was no damage to the facilities by Irma.
A resting Clipper butterfly. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg.
Rain drenched stills butterflies; they are unable to fly with wet wings. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Macro image of butterfly among the flora. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
White Morpho butterfly. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg.
Thoas Swallowtail feeding on bananas in a dish. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg. I am unsure why its “tails” seem to be missing.
On closer inspection…
The Winged Loosestrife’s (Lythrum alatum) vibrant color stood out on the cliff’s wall across from our descending path to Wild Cat Canyon in Starved Rock State Park. Only later when I was home and reviewing these images did I realize the plant was a resting spot for this winged insect. Such is the joy of photography. My eyes often miss seeing all the subjects in my compositions. Sometimes what I capture is distracting to my desired focus (unwanted elements in the background). This added subject was a wonderful surprise.
My initial thought was that this insect was a dragonfly or damselfly. But those insects have two pairs of wings. I am guessing that this is some variety of Crane Fly (Tipula) instead. The other joy of nature photography is that I am always learning!
I zoomed in to get the original picture (bottom image) and found a new and more interesting composition when I zoomed in still closer (first image).
Posing nicely for my picture. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
I spo
Longer view of this Loosestrife and Crane Fly scene, to show more of the habitat. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
tted
Under-valued communities…
Fungi (mushrooms) and algae produce lichen on this dead tree stump. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Yesterday’s post of Lichen was witness to what happens when fungi and algae live together. The fungi benefit from algae that make food through photosynthesis. These images show the lush diversity within these miniature communities. I always feel the presence of a superior entity (God, to me) when I observe such creations.
Colony of mushrooms appear after rains; on less moist days the fungi thrives underground. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Never seen this kind of fungi. The variety at Starved Rock after a few days of rain were many and diverse. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Fungi ring around the tree stump. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
This tree hosts a prolific, rich community. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
The moist walls of the canyon supports more miniature communities. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg.
Trying to pay attention…
My macro lens is one of my favorites because with its use I have permission to stare at others. I can spend time intimately observing the tiny, abundant insect communities that most often are ignored. Sometimes I am surprised when my camera captures details and subjects that were unnoticed by me. This image is a prime example of such recorded evidence. I was focused on the Comma butterfly. I saw the one fly above the butterfly. I did not see the one below. And I absolutely did not realize the “spots” on the adjacent leaf were alive!
So much goes on around us all the time that is oblivious to us. Such findings make me keenly aware that my ability to see the world and make sense of it continually needs practice. This is true with people as well as nature.
Comma butterfly with others of the community. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Familiar in the familiar…
Naturally…
Proliferation of beautiful pale blooms. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Delicate wonder. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Synonyms for “naturally” include obviously, logically, unsurprisingly, certainly and indeed. The flowers below are growing in the natural, tropical habitat. Unsurprisingly they flourish when allowed to live naturally.
Tropical bloom Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Flowering Palm. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg
Tulip Tree in bloom. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg
Naturally thriving orchids. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg