Bugs

Butterflies

One of my favorite photography subjects is butterflies. In the line of butterfly photography, I have identified over forty different species of butterfly on our little seven acres alone! I haven't gotten pictures of all of these, but certainly many of them. Below are many of the different kinds we have.

Tiger Swallowtail

(Quite difficult to photograph. Very flitty and generally high-flying)

Snout Butterfly

(Very funny looking! I have only seen one or two of these little guys)

Red-Banded Hairstreak

(Only seen one. Quite small, difficult to find)

Monarch

(Rather common, especially during the late summer and early fall)

Mourning Cloak

(Also very tricky to photograph, but very beautiful. Generally shows up in early spring and then disappears)

Pearly Crescentspot

(VERY common, but rather cute)

Question Mark

(Raised this one from a caterpillar. Beautiful, but common)

Large Wood Nymph

(Very flitty and fast, but beautiful)

Labrador Sulfur

(Pretty common)

King's Hairstreak

(Seen very few of these. Also small, yet beautiful)

Hobomok Skipper

(Skippers are fun, but tricky, to photograph)

Grey Hairstreak

(This is a favorite photo of mine)

Great Spangled Fritillary

(These butterflies are incredibly common. We get literally hundreds of these butterflies during the summer)

Great Purple Hairstreak

(Saw this one while mowing the lawn. Never seen another one)

Golden Skipper

(He really is different than the Hobomok Skipper above! Skippers are very hard to identify)

Eastern Tailed Blue

(Also a member of the Hairstreak family. Very small, yet pretty)

Cabbage Butterfly

(Very common. There are people who dislike these butterflies very strongly because of the damage their caterpillars can do to garden plants)

Black Swallowtail

(Gorgeous butterflies, and pretty common. I raised this one from a caterpillar)

Zebra Swallowtail

(My all-time favorite. They are so hard to photograph, but so beautiful)

We certainly live in a wonderful place for observing a myriad of butterfly specimen. They are beautiful creatures, and their life is such a model of ours. Like the Cabbage Butterfly, we start out as nasty, wretched, harmful worms: "But I am a worm and not a man" (Psalm 22:6). But God works a marvelous metamorphosis in us, transforming us into beautiful butterflies in Christ Jesus:  "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself" (Philippians 3:20-21).

Saving Sinners!

Our Eyes Are On You

I read 2 Chronicles chapter 20 this evening. It is such a powerful story, and I strongly encourage you to take a moment and read it. Jehoshaphat, when faced with a major battle and terrible odds, turned in his fear not to his own strength or the strength of an ally, but to God. When I face difficulties, my tendency is to try to overcome it in my strength, which leads inevitably to failure. If I would but learn to rely on God in my battles, I would find Him overwhelmingly powerful on my behalf. When I am afraid, I need to learn to turn my eyes to Him, not myself.

May 4, 2010

Though Spring is not yet fully completed, it does seem like summer is arriving. A little over a week ago, my brother and I went out and did some early summer photography. We headed east, toward the stone wall (see map at the bottom of the page). Between our house and the wall, I got this picture.

This is the Famous Tree, just beyond the stone wall.

There was a little flock of buzzards circling off near the horizon.

Snail!

I believe this is cherry.

This is a very good-looking tree. It glowed in the light of mid-afternoon.

It seems that there is something unique every time we go on a photo expedition. God's creation is so varied and fresh, constantly changing. So much is always going on in His world! Each season has something unique and individual about it. Each month reveals new colors and patterns. This truly is an amazing world.

Sustenance

O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. (Psalm 3:1-6, English Standard Version).

"O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble" (Isaiah 33:2).

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father" (Matthew 10:29).

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

"But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

The reminders of God's sustenance are all around. We need His tender, loving care every day, every hour, every moment. I have felt that need much this week, but I have also felt that need met. His grace has been so sufficient. Thank you for your enduring faithfulness, your steadfast love, and your unending sustenance, Savior.

Photographers

Being a photographer by myself was okay, but last October Tyler got a camera. Photography got a whole lot more fun after that happened. Not only is he fun to be around, but he has helped me to improve in my photography. He has very different tastes and takes very different pictures, but many of his angles, ideas, and photos are inspiring and unique, so I try to learn from him.

He probably won't be too happy with me for writing a post of pictures with him, but who's going to tell. . .  :)

 

Tyler's blog, "But Live," is in my links page.