"I can't help, it is so beautiful" (ZAP) -From the movie "A Bug's Life"
After Megan and I moved to the middle of the suburbs, away from our house near the Olentangy River and acres of Olentangy park land, I believe that I went through biotic withdrawal. The challenge at our new house has been to discover new habitats and the animals and dwell in them. I have learned that our lamp post is a magnet for an array of night flying insects.
Aren't these creatures interesting? We all know that nocturnal moths and insects flock to lights at night, but why? After some cursory research, I've concluded that nobody really knows. The most popular theory is that moths navigate using the moon, and therefore are instinctually attracted to light. Others don't buy this theory. I'm just glad that they do, as they provide an interesting naturalizing experience without leaving my sidewalk.
Oh yeah, clicking on each image will reveal a larger, 600 pixel wide image.
For more animal shots, check out the Camera Critters Meme.
Tom
They are cool- and I'm glad they are outside- not in!
ReplyDeleteThose are cool pics! I'll have to turn on my light more and see what interesting creatures they attract. Mostly I turn them on to discourage the skunks....doesn't work. Would you like a skunk or two for your new yard??
ReplyDeleteThanks Megan- I agree. That would be slightly gross if we had moths flying around our house, mesmerized by the lamps.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. Interesting. We keep plenty of lights on, but our neighbor has spotted a skunk in their backyard, so we don't need any new ones right now.
Tom
In the beginning there was nothing. God said, "Let there be light!" And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better. ~ Ellen DeGeneres
ReplyDeleteCute little buggers, aren't they?
Tom: That first creature from the Black Lagoon and the hairy whiskered moth are really neat.
ReplyDeleteThey are interesting but some of them are quite ugly.
ReplyDeletevery good close ups!
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show...you don't have to take a long, involved road trip to find fascinating things to photograph!
ReplyDeleteEww----beautiful pictures,but I can't say I like the looks of those bugs!
ReplyDeleteTom, these are wonderful pictures. But that first one - the greatest!
ReplyDeletefuzzy hat?
ReplyDeleteIncredible close-ups! Some of them critters look hungry - how much damage did you sustain getting these shots? :D Remember, Benadryl is your friend!
ReplyDeleteTink *~*~*
My Mobile Adventures *~*~*
Incredible shots!
ReplyDeleteEven small critters are amazing.
great shots. those are some long antenae on that bug.
ReplyDeleteI love the fuzzy antennae on that first moth! Cute little creepy crawlies but I too am glad they're out and not in. :)
ReplyDeletewow! all incredible captures!!
ReplyDeleteYeah i am glad they are outside.
ReplyDeleteHi Tom, thanks for the comment and following my blog. Back at ye, nice blog and great macro shots, I will add you to my links, Mike.
ReplyDeleteThose are so cool! Yes, I'm a bug lover, and I'm really lovin' that first moth.
ReplyDeleteLovely & interesting insects! The beauty of nature is that it's everywhere--even in the largest of cities. You just have to know where to look.
ReplyDeleteCool bugs, they are so interesting. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteThank You, Thank You, Thank You everyone. And to Tink, well, I didn't take any damage from the bugs I was photographing, but the mosquitoes were biting me, eventually driving me back in the house.
ReplyDeleteTom
I can imagine your withdrawal--from practically tripping over nature, to having to seek it in new places.
ReplyDeleteThe lamppost is a great start--I'm sure you'll find more.
Does your neighborhood regulate things like brushpiles....?
It'd be a great way to start a habitat in your own backyard.
The home I grew up in was in the suburbs. My parents did all they could to transplant native plants and cultivate natural spaces.
It became an oasis in the neighborhood--and we had many unusual (for the suburbs) things visit.
Those creatures are so elegant! It's very good to look at small worlds, they are utterly absorbing.
ReplyDeleteHi Nina- Thanks for your comment. It is funny that you mentioned brush piles. Megan and I started a giant one with the downed oak leaves and limbs that fell during the windstorm. Megan didn't quite understand the concept, but I've been trying to explain that it will help attract bugs and other interesting things! Fortunately, I neighborhood is fairly laid back. Although there are plenty of immaculate yards, there are also conservation minded folks that have brush piles!
ReplyDeleteBird- Thank you. I have found it so interesting what I can capture with my macro lens...It really opens up small worlds.
Tom
Tom
Nice shots! I have been meaning to check near our lamps, but by the time the kids are in bed I'm quite tired! (OK, I know - lame excuse)
ReplyDeleteThe ecology of a "street light"! That light illuminates an underworld of diversity that only a "blogger" or "bugologist" aka "a bugger" could love.
ReplyDeleteReally great shots: very original!
That first one always gives me the creeps...however I love the moths.
ReplyDeleteJ- You should try it. I'd love to see what you could get at 5:1 magnification.
ReplyDeleteRobert- Thank you, thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Rose- That little assassin bug is tiny, so don't worry. I think the moths are very interesting. It was amazing to me how diverse their "parts" are.
Tom
Insects normally creep me out, but your photos are beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Insects are always interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how many strange creatures inhabit this earth! Nice shots!
ReplyDelete