Dracunculus Vulgaris - A Really Cool Plant

 "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." 

~ Confucius

As I was looking through some older images I had captured, I found this that was

taken at our local Horticulture Garden. 

Rainbow at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion Virginia

“Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.” 

~ Douglas Pagels

From our visit to Hungry Mother State Park over

Labor Day Weekend 2018

Print Available - HERE 

Black Vulture

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” 

 ― Confucius

Not what one would think of as a "beautiful bird" but they are so very beneficial!

This was taken at Bisset Park in Radford, Virginia

which is part of Virginia's Birding and Wildlife Trail.

A Great place for Birding!

Available on my Website - HERE

Looks Like Fun!

In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured. 

 ― Gordon B. Hinckley

I have a HUGE fascination with flight!  I was able to capture this Red Milkweed Beetle during his flight :) 
These little beetles always look so happy!  Their markings make them look like they have a smile on all the time :)

Hidden

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. 

Those who don't believe in magic will never find it. 

~ Roald Dahl 

More of my Dragonfly Images - HERE 

By Your Side

It all comes down to who's by your side. 

~ Nicholas Sparks

Muscovy Duck - A Unique Beauty

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

~Confucius

Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic.

~Rosalind Russell

  Virginia Tech Duck Pond - Blacksburg, Virginia

Carolina Wren - All Puffed Up

A wonderful realization will be the day you realize that you are unique in all the world. There is nothing that is an accident. You are a special combination for a purpose - and don't let them tell you otherwise... only you can fulfill that tiny space that is yours.

~Leo Buscaglia

Hearts In Nature - Tree Bark Heart

Cultivate a heart of love that knows no anger.

~Unknown

  Deerfield Trail - Blacksburg, Virginia

I love finding hearts in nature!

Birds with Long Tongues

Hummingbird sticking it's tongue out.

Red-bellied Woodpecker - stretching his tongue to reach the peanut butter.

I think most woodpeckers have long tongues like this.

I think it's pretty cool!!

I believe that every person has uniqueness - something that nobody else has.

~ Michael Schenker

Celebrate Unique Creatures

Today you are You, that is truer than true. 
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

~Dr. Seuss

As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.

~Robert H. Schuller

 As I grow older I am learning to accept and recognize my own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others - and I celebrate it!

About the images: These images were taken July 17, 2011 - Heritage Park, Blacksburg, VA. I believe this is a mayfly - but I am not positive on that. What the pictures don't show very well are the little "tails" at the end. These were the first I've ever seen of this creature - a "life bug" for me :)

Locust Borer Beetle

As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.

~ Robert H Schuller

This is a Lifer Bug for me - the first one I've even seen. I find him quite unique - and - beautiful in his own special way. He was crawling in the Goldenrod and blends in quite well.

Discover Your Light

We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.

~Mary Dunbar

Planthopper

I have a confession to make. I used to be really intimidated by bugs. OK maybe intimidated is not the right word .... how about SCARED of bugs. They really used to freak me out. Not quite so much anymore. I found this little (and I mean little) guy outside one day.  He is about 1/3" long (if that) I took this with the macro lens and closely cropped it so you could see the details. I believe this to be a Northern Flatid Planthopper. He has quite a unique look ~~ don't you think?

The Snout Butterfly

Each of us is a unique strand in the intricate web of life and here to make a contribution.
 ― Deepak Chopra 

A first for me  in 2010 was seeing this little guy - A Snout Butterfly. I think they are so unique!  I believe they are the only "snout" butterfly found in North America.
More info on this amazing creature - HERE 

Observing Nature is So Rewarding!  Have you ever seen a Snout Butterfly?