The nature of things

[reible]

Yes there will be pictures and links to videos all with a nature theme, so if it is of interest read on other wise this is not the thread for you.

You all have heard the "caught red handed", well how about caught red fingered? Well not so much caught as found red fingered. I hope this is not to graphic for you....

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So I was off on one of my mini adventures, this time I just happened upon a mulberry tree with nice ripe fruit. I happen to love the taste of mulberries and the tree was right there.

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I think I was there about 10 minutes getting to all the berries I could reach that were ripe. Of course if you know mulberries you know they stain like crazy.

Not long after that I came upon a blackberry patch. I like blackberries almost as much as mulberries so I had to stop and pick what was ripe....

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This all reminded me of the days of old when I was a young man. It was not uncommon for me to pick while blueberries in out backyard or off on a roadside for a snack. Later in time when I was able to drive I would have some favorite spots to snack, sometimes on my way to work or on my way home. I would even head off on days off to visit an abandoned gravel pit that seem like a garden with strawberries and red raspberries.... This little side trip sure brought back the memories.

Anyway on my return from the walk I stopped to photograph this butterfly:

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It was not content to just sit on the table and proceeded to land on my right hand. What ever it found on the side of my hand was of much interest as it stayed at least 5 or more minutes there. I finally had to shoo it off so I could finish that leg of my walk. I managed to shoot about 2 minutes of video which you can watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vLiWpkLWLU

Being probed by a proboscis was an interesting feeling, probing my skin for? Anyway it was very busy for a long while, much different then anything I've ever experienced before.

Wait the adventure continued with another butterfly, this time one feeding on a milkweed plants nectar. As you may know they also lay their eggs on the milkweed and the caterpillars feed on the leaves. A true multi-use plant for them. That video is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va7VRgF6tZE

Of course there is a lot more to see if you really look hard. Check out this picture:

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Do you see it? If not let me help you out with this picture:

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Of course sometime they just plain standout and are easy to see like here:

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Now from butterflies to bees. This nature center near us has an indoor bee hive. There is a tube that lets the bees in and out, and of course I have a video of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbpHW6MqTR0

Sorry about all the background noise, this place tends to have a lot of the younger generation visiting which is great but noise.

Next the hive, it is right there in the room with glass on both sides. So you are right in the action without the risk. Busy as bee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWhN52liqgc

Well that is enough for today. Hope you have enjoyed my adventure.

Ed

[Dansmith]

Enjoyed your "adventure". Great photography.