Friday Photography - A Release

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These photos were taken after manually opening the seed pod of a Swan plant. I did it to release the seeds, which at this point in the season would probably just rot on the plant. Maybe some of those seeds will produce offspring to feed the Monarchs.

I hope we all find some rewarding release this weekend. Stay well and strong.

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Bollox Ref's picture

Nothing of consequence this end, so a shot from last year:

That second shot of yours looks like the mouth of a lamprey (shudder).

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Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

janis b's picture

@Bollox Ref

and thanks for the gorgeous photo.

I know what you mean about the gaping mouth of the pod. In reality all of its parts are very soft and delicate. The pod itself is paper thin, the few sprouted seeds are feathery light, and the hairs on the exterior of the pod are also quite soft.

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Bollox Ref's picture

@janis b

because of the 'white neck' in the first shot?

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Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

janis b's picture

@Bollox Ref

I looked briefly for an answer, but yours is as good as any I've found.

One response online said it was because the pod floats in the water and looks like a swan, the stem being the neck and beak. Another posted this photo, which does look like it could be the anatomy of a swan ...

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Socialprogressive's picture

@Bollox Ref

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When I offer to wash your back in the shower, all you have to say is yes or no.
Not all this "who are you, and how did you get in here?" nonsense.

Bollox Ref's picture

@Socialprogressive

around at the moment, which is slightly worrying.

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Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

dystopian's picture

@Bollox Ref Great pic BR! Nice colors, great action, beautiful flowers. Looks like an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (the big black and yellow butterfly). Hard to say for sure without an underwing view, at least for me, but most likely an E. Tiger.

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

Pricknick's picture

Thanks for the host janis.
I'm off in a week for Drummond Island and hope to find a large gathering of the Monarchs.

DSC_0380.JPG

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Regardless of the path in life I chose, I realize it's always forward, never straight.

janis b's picture

@Pricknick

You're welcome, and thank you for the beautiful monarch.

I wish you enjoyable explorations on Drummond. I know it is a favourite place of yours.

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Socialprogressive's picture

I love those two shots, Janis. Nicely done.

The B&W image is from Balboa park and the other three are from the San Diego Zoo.

DSC_6652_9585.7bw

bracketzoo_3.2

bracketzoo_5.1

_DSC0591_10312.1

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When I offer to wash your back in the shower, all you have to say is yes or no.
Not all this "who are you, and how did you get in here?" nonsense.

janis b's picture

@Socialprogressive

I'm glad you enjoyed them.

As always, your photos are stunning, thank you.

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Bollox Ref's picture

@Socialprogressive

Parading up and down in that first shot.

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Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

dystopian's picture

@Socialprogressive Great pics as always SP! Love the black and white building. Beautiful composition.

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

edg's picture

@Socialprogressive

I visited the Nashville Zoo last year while on a road trip. Photo 1 - Mimosa tree in bloom. Photo 2 - Chimpanzee striking 'The Thinker' pose.

Flowers.jpg

Chimpanzee.jpg

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janis b's picture

@edg

Great title for the chimpanzee photo.

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Bollox Ref's picture

being his inane self.

Img_0717.jpg

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Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

janis b's picture

@Bollox Ref

I miss him almost as much as you ; ).

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Bollox Ref's picture

(Edited)

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Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

dystopian's picture

Hope all are well!

I was sittin' around thinkin', what is the least I could do???

How about a Least Grebe? The smallest grebe in America at about 9" but they appear more like they are 6", that 9 must be dead with neck pulled out. They weigh only 4 oz.
LEGR062720d-sm.jpg

These are dinky tiny grebes that look like a gray fuzzball with a bright yellow eye.
LEGR062720a.jpg

It is a south Texas specialty found north rarely to about Hwy. 90. It is the first one I have seen up here in the hills on the Edwards Plateau, in my 16+ years here. Semi-regular just a bit south of me around Uvalde. Here, a bit of a rare find, and lots of fun to see.
LEGR062720c.jpg
This is the last thing many an aquatic invertebrate sees.

Be well all! Play it safe!

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

janis b's picture

@dystopian

Are they abundant? I can imagine that they're too small to be game, and could be good hiders.

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dystopian's picture

@janis b they are common where they are supposed to be found. From deep south (way far) Texas I think through Mexico and Central America and in much of South America. It just barely reaches the U.S.

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

dystopian's picture

Great pics Janis! What a neat seed pod! Never seen anything like it. Very cool. Is it a food plant for Monarch larvae or do the adults nectar on it? GREAT shots!

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

janis b's picture

@dystopian

that feed the larvae.

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lotlizard's picture

to add to the little empire it is building, which already includes half of Cyprus and a slice of Syria.

https://off-guardian.org/2020/07/08/has-turkey-colonized-libya/

The Powers That Be already avoid talking about foreign policy and all the ongoing wars and occupations, but they especially never want to talk Turkey.

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with inchlong beans
longbeanbud.jpg

In the center is an ant. There are ants all over the bean tower suddenly, herding aphids that smother the pretty little purple flowers encasing the baby beans. I went full Pink Panther and made some dead ants but this can't go on. Plus, it is a hundred and fuck degrees from now until fall. eden stress

How do Buddhists garden? I am not one of them. I don't know how to avoid killing the aphids and some of the ants to save the beans, it is impossible. I ring my inside prayer bell DING! and say the words "onward and progression, all beings are sacred, even the pests in my garden". Yesterday was all ding ding ding ding! sheesh

Before enlightenment: Chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment: Chop wood, carry water.
Water is eight pounds per gallon, a fact I know so well I can feel it in my bones now. right on

peace and love
Edit: Sorry I can't view dailykos images from my browser now, the path doesn't even show up in the script blocker. Not sorry enough to figure out why, but think it's cool to leech their image hosting instead of junking up the archives here like I do. (yells at cloud, shakes fist at the sky) cheers

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janis b's picture

@eyo

I have a friend who’s a practicing buddhist and gardener. He tries his best not to interfere, but doesn’t always succeed. I’ll ask him how he justifies killing any predators. Maybe that’s why he’s not a monk.

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@janis b g'night and thanks, hope you're dreaming well.

I picked three out of the ten non-virtuous actions to meditate upon: Killing, Covetousness, and Wrong View. After this morning's rounds I remembered my original approach, which was "whatever happens, happens" down there. Everything is exposed. If aphids take over the bean crop, then that is what happens. I am not going to starve. Everything is okay. Cheers. My neighbor says Buddhists do it in layers, they just keep adding layers and the balance finds itself eventually. Right on.

peace and love

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Lookout's picture

100 Lugano (30).jpg

...and Lake Geneva (lac Léman)
90 Vevey (10).jpg

Sail away!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”