An unused swimming pool becomes the home of many freshwater plants and animals. Insects of many types, such as beetles (Coleoptera), true bugs (Heteroptera), and fly larvae (Diptera), can be observed swimming in unused swimming pools.
Here a Dytiscus beetle has flown in from a neighbouring pond to make the pool its temporary home. It surfaces rear-end first to breathe before diving again to hunt for prey. Diving beetles are excellent swimmers, their bodies are streamlined, and their flattened rear legs, which bear two rows of “swimming” hairs (see photo), can generate powereful strokes.
A disused swimming pool is great place to observe freshwater wildlife because it is easily accessible, its edges are free from terrestrial vegetation which often make it difficult to see. In addition to this the blue of the pool allows us see creatures that we might not have noticed - check out the spiral of green algae in the photo.
If I were an early bird, this plump little fellow would look like a tasty morcel to me! What one might call a good start to the day. I’m sure there’s a moral to be learnt here somewhere.
Ahh, yes, of course :
The early bird gets the worm.
We all know that the world belongs to those who get up nice and early. Get up early and life can but smile for you.
However, there is a darker side to this story… one of personal disaster… the early (perhaps even earlier) worm gets eaten! Of course we automatically associate ourselves with the bird. The moralists of old conveniently failed to complete their comforting proverb. It should read :
The early bird gets the worm.
But the early worm gets eaten!
In other words know yourself! If you are a bird, get up early. If you are a worm, stay in bed a little longer and let other worms get eaten!
And, for the mice amongst us, here is some food for thought :
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
When on the wing, this large and powerful butterfly resembles more a small bird than a butterfly due the speed and the nature of its flight. This no doubt serves it well since it has the habit of establishing and defending hilltop territories otherwise known as “hilltoping” (hilltops serve as mate-encounter sites not only for this species but also for many other insects).
Ideally, I would have liked to photograph it with its wings open, but when it did eventually decide to land (several times on animal dung), it immediately placed its wings in an upright position. This was the best shot I could get - naturally I avoided to photograph it on dung!
Charaxes jasius’ larval foodplant is the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) but it is also attracted to fermenting fruit, animal dung, and alcohol in the form of beer and wine!
Now watch a short educational film (in French) on the life-cycle of Charaxes jasius.
Rule number one in becoming really good at anything is passion! If you are really passionate about something you will spend the time and effort necessary to achieve your goals, your determination and patience will overcome all setbacks and you will not be detered or discouraged - your passion will drive you forward.
Very few of us can be good at something without being passionate about it! On the otherhand many of us can become good at something if we are really passionate about it!
Why "New" Naturalist - well the advent of digital photography has made it possible for anyone to enjoy nature photography and get great results. Today's naturalist can record observations easily and results are obtained instantly. He can afford to practise his art.
All this sounds good but if you want to get really good shots you'll have to work hard - it's like anything in life - if you want to be good at something you'll need to practise, practise, practise!
