RANDOM PHOTO AND AN OLD FAVORITE

I took this photo ages ago and came across it recently. It is one I saw sitting on the stem of a dried-up lotus pod.

It shows a male Blue Dasher dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis). It is easily recognized by its powdery blue abdomen, striped thorax and striking green-blue eyes. A pale face, banded markings on the thorax and clear wings with dark veins. Frequently found near ponds, marshes and slow-moving waters across North America, so I read.

Here are other interesting facts that I found on Google.

The only "Dasher": it is a monotypic species, meaning it is the sole member of its entire genus (Pachydiplax).

The "Obelisk" Handstand: to avoid overheating on hot days, it raises its abdomen straight up towards the sun. This obelisk posture minimizes the surface area exposed to solar radiation.

Illusory "Long Wings": its species name "longipennis" translates to "long wings". However, its wings are quite average; the name exists because females have an exceptionally short abdomen, making their wings look much longer by comparison.

Illusion of Blue: the powdery, chalky-blue color on the male's abdomen is not actually caused by blue pigment. Instead, it is an optical illusion created by a waxy coating called pruinescence, which scatters light.

Pollution Tolerant: unlike many delicate insects, the blue dasher is highly adaptable and thrives in polluted environments, storm drains and urban runoff parks that other species flee.

Fierce Mosquito Hunters: they are incredible assets for pest control. A single blue dasher can capture and eat hundreds of mosquitoes and gnats every day.

Rapid-Fire Egg Layer: when breeding, a female can dramatically lay between 300 and 700 eggs in a span of just 30 seconds by tapping her abdomen on the water's surface. This website here has photos that show the difference between a male and female and also has a lot more information.

Extreme Aerial Territory Battles: males are aggressively territorial. They guard their hunting perches by executing frantic, high-speed loops and vertical rocket chases against rival males.

Gender Color Shifting: juveniles and females primarily sport yellow and brown stripes. However, as females age, they can gradually turn a dusty blue, mimicking the males.

Aquatic Underworld Beginnings: before taking flight, they spend the vast majority of their lives (up to 11 months) underwater as aquatic nymphs, breathing through internal gills and aggressively hunting tadpoles and small fish.

If you are curious about these fascinating insects, there is a wealth of information out there online.

Thanks for looking and 

I hope your week is going great.

TEACHING THE LITTLE ONE YOGA...

 and being ignored.

Recently we returned to Green Spring Gardens to walk around the ponds. We were surprised to see the green algae covering the first pond, but the turtles were out and about. 

I have seen the stretched-out leg pose several other times. I read that it is how they regulate their body temperature and absorb essential nutrients from the sun. It's called basking, where a turtle climbs out of the water onto a log or rock to soak up heat and light. It has been called 'turtle yoga'. 

By spreading their legs and widening their feet, turtles increase the amount of skin exposed to the sun, allowing them to absorb heat more quickly and efficiently. Sunlight also provides vital UVB rays that help turtles produce Vitamin D3. It is necessary for them to process calcium, which maintains a strong and healthy shell. 

As ectotherms (cold-blooded animals), turtles rely on external heat to fuel their metabolism, support their immune system, and aid in digestion. Stretching helps the turtle's skin and shell dry completely, which is necessary for proper shedding and helps eliminate external parasites. When a turtle feels safe and comfortable in its environment, it will "sploot" or fully extend its limbs as a sign of complete relaxation.

I am very thankful to be able to find all this information online. I have always enjoyed seeing turtles my whole life, another wonderful part of nature.

I am wondering how green algae affects them? I will be finding out about that soon and in the meantime, if any of you have any knowledge of such things, I would be very happy if you care to share.

Thanks for looking and 

I hope your day is a great one.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - A FEW PHOTOS FROM GREEN SPRING GARDENS

We were over here last Wednesday (3-19-25).

This is another house on park property grounds. It is not as large as the house I like so much at the top of the garden, which is older and I just like ‘old’. This is a stone’s throw from the ponds, and it is very pretty.

As we had planned, Gregg dropped me off at the road closer to the ponds. However, not only is the drop-off point a no parking zone, but it is also a private road and has an electronic barrier to prevent other cars from using it. Fortunately, we do have public walking access. The private home on this road is lovely, and I took a close-up photo of the old bird house as I walked by. It has character and will look very pretty when all the flowers bloom around it. I will be sure to take another photo.

I started walking as Gregg drove up the road to where he parks the car in our normal spot. I had my cane and I assured him I would not rush things (something I am prone to do), that I would be as slow as a snail. On that promise he left me to it. Thank goodness for cell phones and GPS trackers as we could keep an eye on each other.

At the first pond I could see no birds or turtles but there were a few people around. On the other side I spotted a small group of young adults who were chatting. I was heading to the first bench where I was to meet Gregg, but there was a couple sitting there. The gentleman had a walker. His wife smiled and asked if I would like to sit down. She would have had to move so I thanked her and said I was heading to the gazebo where I would be meeting my husband. And to myself I must text Gregg and tell him that. But half-way there and as I half-turned, Gregg surprised me. He was much faster than I expected and was at my side before I reached the gazebo. We saw an empty bench on one side of the second pond, and I asked him if he would like to go there. It was a little further but because of this beautifully warm, sunny day, it was preferable to sitting in the shade of the gazebo. We sat down on the bench and started looking around. This is the same view across the pond that I shared the other day.

We spent a good 20 minutes or so looking across. There were two geese and nearby, a gentleman with his granddaughter. It was fun to watch their interaction. Grandfather was sitting on the bench and granddaughter, a little more active, playing nearby. She was about five years old and very interested in the geese, but had been told not to go near them. They were still snoozing.

The lady and gentleman I had spoken to before, caught up with us and we talked with them for a few minutes. They were about ten years younger than us. We didn't want to keep them too long because the gentleman was holding tightly onto his walker, obviously was not in good enough shape to stand too long in one spot. That was my way of thinking anyway and maybe I was projecting, but looking at his face it seemed so. It was, however, one of those very pleasant interactions that we enjoy when we are around and about. 

Gregg and I stayed for a few more minutes on the bench and watched them take the same path that we would be taking. They said hello to grandfather and granddaughter but didn't stop and kept moving forward, very slowly. We gave them their space and didn't continue with our own walk until they had left the area. We followed their tracks around the pond, walker and footprints.

On our side, three ladies make their way towards us and said hello in passing. We noticed grandfather and granddaughter had left the bench and that was our cue to move on. I had it in mind to sit where they had and take photos of the Canada Geese. By the time we reached that bench, the geese had awakened. We both had fun observing them for a while and taking photos. 

I called him 'the Protector'. 

He stood guard the whole time we were taking our photos from the bench.

Protector paid us no mind...

and seemed to be watching the same scene as we were. Across the pond we can now see the bench we had been sitting on originally. A young family had arrived and were playing ball with their toddler. We heard the clang of the metal bat several times and watched as little one swung it near his mom a little too close for comfort. His parents were doing a great job teaching him. Judging by his excited giggles, he was having a great time. We enjoyed watching them for a while and they brought back memories of happy times we had with our own son when he was that age.

Another ten to 15 minutes rest and we decided it was time to walk back. Nearer to our exit spot I told Gregg it would be a good idea for him to go ahead and I would meet him in the same place where he had parked the car before.

I wish I had asked him to leave the camera with the zoom lens as there was now a pair of ducks on the other side, with several turtles sunning themselves on the bank near them. Maybe I missed them before. Not very good photos as my cell phone gets a bit fuzzy when I try to zoom in, but it's a memory.

Two more ladies passed by, smiled and said hello. We were all enjoying the warmth and sunshine. I was looking forward to reaching the car. The spot I was to meet Gregg was not very far away by this time. I was staring down at my feet while walking, and when I looked up, he was heading my way. It was good to be in the car and heading home after such a lovely walk. 

My two last photos show English Ivy trailing on the ground.  Other names are Common ivy, European ivy and Poet's ivy. Botanical name Hedera helix.

I also saw new buds on the trees. This is a Red maple. It is also called Maple tree, Swamp maple, Soft maple and a Water maple. Botanical name Acer rubrum. A common tree in North America and its sap can be made into maple syrup. The leaves are very toxic to horses I read. According to the US Forest Service, red maple is the most common tree in eastern North America.

That's all for now. 

Thanks for looking, enjoy your day 

and have a great week ahead.