Friday, October 23, 2020

Chasing Butterflies



Let me start with, I am not sure if this is a butterfly or a moth.  All I know is it flittered down in front of me, and paused long enough for me to snap two quick images.  Back when I was a wee-penguin I spent a week at a summer camp near Port Austin Michigan.  One of my tent mates was an avid butterfly collector.  He had the nets, the killing jars, boards, mounting pins and an encyclopedic knowledge.  Looking back at it I had a crush on him.  He was so bright and interested in arcane subjects.  

I bought a guidebook, and a net.  I tried chasing butterflies and moths. They are fast, hard to catch, and if you are stuck in one place as I was on the farm at that time, there are only so many varieties around.  I gave up.  

Later in life I have learned to be patient, and wait for what comes by.  I have to keep my eyes open, but I don't pursue. If I get the picture I do, if I don't, there will be next time.  And concentrating on photos is much more humane than collecting specimens.    

When was the last time you paused to watch whatever came by? 


17 comments:

  1. Anonymous10/23/2020

    Not really something I have done. I do get becoming interesting in something because it was an interest of a crush.

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    Replies
    1. It was the deep knowledge of unusual topics that attracted me, still does in a certain someone.

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  2. last night's sunset from my porch was really intense orange.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A sign of other big orange things about to end their day.

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  3. Always. If you don't stop to look and enjoy you will miss.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So many walk by glued to their phone.

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    2. and that's 1 of 928374650 reasons I don't have a phone!

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  4. Last night, Balder Half passed by on his way to take a shower. The lamplight hit him just right. *Sigh* Butterflies are nice too. I prefer them alive and unspecimentized. Like weeds, moths are just unappreciated butterflies.

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    Replies
    1. Does be cause butterflies in your heart after all these years?

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    2. I was thinking gas, but I'll go with butterflies.

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  5. I sat on my balcony this summer and watched clouds go by -- does that count?

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  6. It is a butterfly and a pretty one. I agree, taking photos is way better than taking specimens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe I should take an entomology course, I am old enough to get free college classes in VA

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  7. so long ago I can't remember. The cellphone gets in the way
    In November I plan to have it off in a month of cellphone abstinence.

    ReplyDelete