Tag: Nature

Great Devil’s Horse Grasshopper

Today, my family and I discovered these baby, great black and red devil’s horse grasshoppers (Romalea guttata) outside of church. They are very slow walking creatures that eat clovers.  Kids used to play with these by putting a home-made harnesses on them and attaching it to a matchbox to pull. It’s adult size allowed it…


Photographer, Igor Siwanowicz

I love Igor Siwanowicz’s point of view when it comes to insects and reptiles. “I focuse my attention on those living beings, which people usually dislike and avoid, because these insects are not fluffy and warm-blooded animals. But, certainly, I began working with them not because of this. I am interested in their strange, alien…


Glimpses Of A Tiny, Magical World

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be tiny, like a small insect? I believe it would be like living in another dimension. “Somebody told me oncethat if you stand stillin the forest long enough,you’ll see signsof a hidden struggle…raging between forcesof life and decay…”  – young woman from the movie, “Epic”…


Guácharo

This poem illustrates the umwelt (sensory or perceptual world of an animal) of the oilbird. The oilbird is a cute bird with an owl-like face. It lives in caves and uses echolocation for social interactions and to see in the dark. Guácharo Aggitta. Static pulses during A sweet, feather-fluffed sleep; On a ledge in my…


Tree Frog

I just love the cute little tree frogs! My husband found this one today. It is known as a grey tree frog. https://youtu.be/FSj_fcACvTE


Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology is the study of and conservation of unknown animals. It involves educating and encouraging people to learn about natural history. Sadly, today’s test-driven educational system is causing social changes that make it very difficult for children and adults to learn about the natural world and Cryptozoology. Without amateur naturalists we would have never had…


Snow Crystals

Snow crystals make the world a more beautiful place. I remember seeing them often while skiing and snowshoeing. They add magic to a winter wonderland.


Gecko Feet

I have always liked geckos. They are fascinating creatures that have inspired people for ages. There are even old myths that say, if you see a gecko, it means that you are safe and someone is watching over you. Today, people are asking different questions about geckos. One of the most obvious ones is, how…


Pufferfish, Frogs, Plants, Scorpions, Anemones, and Drugs

There are many drugs found in nature that are thought of as useful biological research tools to discover how the channels in neurons function. 1. Tetrodotoxin is found in pufferfish (fugu) and newts. This drug prevents sodium channel activation and the propagation of nerve impulses in neurons causing paralysis and death. The victim is often…


Long-Leaf Pine Savannah

I once went on an Ecology trip to a long-leaf pine savannah in. The long-leaf pine savannah is a common ecosystem to south-east Louisiana. It is a fire-dominated ecosystem (it depends on small grass fires ignited by lightning to survive) that has been logged, farmed, and damaged almost to where it has been driven to…