This is beautiful, Bill! I consider myself fortunate that I can draw hope from the smallest things in nature, too. Recently, a dragon fly landed on my shirt and came with me into an art gallery, not flying off until we were outside again. It was as though a faraway friend had joined me on this visit.
Well, the ticket person asked me whether they would qualify for a free child’s ticket or not. Inside the gallery, people paid more attention to the art than to us; it seemed appropriate.
Yesterday I saw an odd looking "wasp" in my mountain mint. I snapped a few photos and last night, after a Google search, I found out that it is not actually a wasp, but is a fly...a Clubbed Mydas Fly! I am continually buoyed by the diversity of life in my field and find that it can assuage my "eco-grief".
Last night I also watched a short film on the Aldo Leopold Foundation website by their own Maia Buschman called "Never To Revisit, Aldo Leopold, Eco-grief, and the Value of Wilderness". I find that your essay and this film have a lot in common. Check it out!
I have noticed Mydas Flies in my garden over the past few weeks. My first impression is always "wasp", but then I realize that the adbomen is different and eventually I realize it is a fly. It is really interesting to try and learn the different groups of insects. It seems like some members each group are insecure and they are trying to be like another group. They are just not satisfied with being a fly, so they take on the form of a wasp. I would like to get to the point where I know insects well enough that I could distinguish the key traits that separate the different groups and that would help with identifying them. I have a sense of it now, but there is so much more to learn. Thanks for the film recommendation. I requested access and I look forward to watching it.
This is beautiful and I learned things! I laughed out loud, “In other words, moths get drunk, and they like it. “ I had no idea tomato hornworms had become rare. And hummingbird moths are just the best. I haven’t seen any yet this year.
That is great to hear. I was amazed when I read about moths getting typsy. I encountered that in a technical publication and they described it in dry language. I knew it was a golden bit of information best conveyed in simple terms. I am sure many farmers and gardeners lament the abundance of hornworms in some rural areas. I live in town now in an area dominated by industrial agriculture, so our insect population is suppressed and in need of all the help they can get.
Thank you for this breath of fresh air this morning. I am so grateful for Berry's optimistic perspective and to you for sharing it. Sometimes I want to hide myself away in nature and ignore the discouraging state of the world, but your words here remind me that we all need to carry the lessons from the garden and from nature into our little circles of influence. This is how we can make the world a better place.
I never knew there was a moth that looked so much like an adorable bird!!! 😍 We also have rabbits keep us company in the flower bed. We unlike others...welcome our animal neighbors. We like to plant marigolds, but not to keep our furry neighbors out...its just bc we like them! See attached "note" for pics of our gorgeous rabbit friends!
Such a grand post on how to slow down and look and try to grasp what is going on around us! And to see how we are part of our world for good or evil. Once we see that, like it or not we are choosing which side we are on .... from then, on out. If we take the path of the good, let us remember to feed our spirit with what delights us. And do that frequently! Reading your posts feeds my spirit Bill! Thank you for your vision and oh so many fine quotes by those who have had their eyes and hearts open before us.
Hi Sandy, You are welcome. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on my essay. I am glad to hear that my writing feeds your spirit. That is what I hope for. I meet people all the time now that tell me how they think differently, notice new things in nature, and have an appreciation for the little things they used to miss. It is very gratifying to know that you can help people and nature through writing.
A wonderful essay, Bill. My urban yard is all native plants/wildlife habitat to offer a home for insects and a small sanctuary for myself. Converting turf grass into habitat is one of the most rewarding and important actions any nature lover can take, in my view! And a hopeful action, as you point out. I follow Rebecca Solnit, so incisive and insightful and making a difference to thousands like us, I have no doubt. xo
This is beautiful, Bill! I consider myself fortunate that I can draw hope from the smallest things in nature, too. Recently, a dragon fly landed on my shirt and came with me into an art gallery, not flying off until we were outside again. It was as though a faraway friend had joined me on this visit.
That is amazing. The dragonfly must have been comfortable. Did anyone comment on your little friend when you were in the gallery?
Well, the ticket person asked me whether they would qualify for a free child’s ticket or not. Inside the gallery, people paid more attention to the art than to us; it seemed appropriate.
Yesterday I saw an odd looking "wasp" in my mountain mint. I snapped a few photos and last night, after a Google search, I found out that it is not actually a wasp, but is a fly...a Clubbed Mydas Fly! I am continually buoyed by the diversity of life in my field and find that it can assuage my "eco-grief".
Last night I also watched a short film on the Aldo Leopold Foundation website by their own Maia Buschman called "Never To Revisit, Aldo Leopold, Eco-grief, and the Value of Wilderness". I find that your essay and this film have a lot in common. Check it out!
I have noticed Mydas Flies in my garden over the past few weeks. My first impression is always "wasp", but then I realize that the adbomen is different and eventually I realize it is a fly. It is really interesting to try and learn the different groups of insects. It seems like some members each group are insecure and they are trying to be like another group. They are just not satisfied with being a fly, so they take on the form of a wasp. I would like to get to the point where I know insects well enough that I could distinguish the key traits that separate the different groups and that would help with identifying them. I have a sense of it now, but there is so much more to learn. Thanks for the film recommendation. I requested access and I look forward to watching it.
Fantastic photos of the hummingbird clearwing! Also, I enjoyed the image you conjured of tipsy moth and tipsy human making their way to a porch light.
This is beautiful and I learned things! I laughed out loud, “In other words, moths get drunk, and they like it. “ I had no idea tomato hornworms had become rare. And hummingbird moths are just the best. I haven’t seen any yet this year.
That is great to hear. I was amazed when I read about moths getting typsy. I encountered that in a technical publication and they described it in dry language. I knew it was a golden bit of information best conveyed in simple terms. I am sure many farmers and gardeners lament the abundance of hornworms in some rural areas. I live in town now in an area dominated by industrial agriculture, so our insect population is suppressed and in need of all the help they can get.
Totally agree - drunk moths must be written about in more colorful terms!
Thank you for this breath of fresh air this morning. I am so grateful for Berry's optimistic perspective and to you for sharing it. Sometimes I want to hide myself away in nature and ignore the discouraging state of the world, but your words here remind me that we all need to carry the lessons from the garden and from nature into our little circles of influence. This is how we can make the world a better place.
I never knew there was a moth that looked so much like an adorable bird!!! 😍 We also have rabbits keep us company in the flower bed. We unlike others...welcome our animal neighbors. We like to plant marigolds, but not to keep our furry neighbors out...its just bc we like them! See attached "note" for pics of our gorgeous rabbit friends!
The detail. We see very little of our wonderful world. Thanks for showing us more of it.
Awesome pictures! Thanks!!
Such a grand post on how to slow down and look and try to grasp what is going on around us! And to see how we are part of our world for good or evil. Once we see that, like it or not we are choosing which side we are on .... from then, on out. If we take the path of the good, let us remember to feed our spirit with what delights us. And do that frequently! Reading your posts feeds my spirit Bill! Thank you for your vision and oh so many fine quotes by those who have had their eyes and hearts open before us.
Hi Sandy, You are welcome. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on my essay. I am glad to hear that my writing feeds your spirit. That is what I hope for. I meet people all the time now that tell me how they think differently, notice new things in nature, and have an appreciation for the little things they used to miss. It is very gratifying to know that you can help people and nature through writing.
Thank you for these insights.
Wonderful photography. And such a vivid sense of Being there, In your garden. Thanks so much for sharing. Such a delight.
Your photos of the Hawk moth were beautiful!!! And the Hornworm closeups faxcinating. Seems like you've developed a friendly insect aura!!
A wonderful essay, Bill. My urban yard is all native plants/wildlife habitat to offer a home for insects and a small sanctuary for myself. Converting turf grass into habitat is one of the most rewarding and important actions any nature lover can take, in my view! And a hopeful action, as you point out. I follow Rebecca Solnit, so incisive and insightful and making a difference to thousands like us, I have no doubt. xo