• Monday-What'sUP August 2 - 08:46 am

This first shot by Roger Kangas, makes me think of fuzzy wuzzy, but if I'm not mistaken, that was a bear, not a caterpillar. This one is quite the specimen with all its bumps, humps and even what looks like a tail! Quite the colorful insect inching its way along the branches looking for something to eat. Then we jump from the trees to the water and check out a brilliantly blue type of dragonfly (I think!) and his friend the water-bug, who seem to be keeping their feet dry on a floating leaf. I wonder if they're thinking, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee"? Even bugs can dream, can't they? :->

Excellent closeups Roger. When I visit up home in Sept. I hope to take some of my own photos and submit them to the gallery. Enjoy your day all.

Dreamin' I'm always dreamin'
Dreamin' of you

That was a hit from the 50s or 60s right?

The blue insect is actually a DAMSELFLY - close relative of the dragonfly. Both insects are taxonomically classified the same down to the ORDER level (Odonata. Interesting fact about the odonatans is that they live in the water for 2-4 years before hatching out to fly away for the summer months, mate, lay eggs, and die. Easiest way to tell dragon and damselflies apart is wings - damsels fold wings back onto body when they land, dragons hold them out away from the body. Dragonflies also usually have a much more stout body. (Can you tell I teach a high school course on these insects??)

That was interesting, Jeff, but - how about the first picture? Just the other day I picked a caterpillar (tm?) like this from my shirt - in the Black Forest in southern Germany. Amazing to see that specimen here today!

Roger, Great close-up pics. Jeff, very interesting info...and thank you for teaching our future.

In the caterpillar guide I have, it looks like this one will grow up to be a White-Marked Tussock Moth.

Cool pics. Enjoy seeing the sites of back home.

Good luck Mary. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Great pictures and great information for all our "teachers!" Thanks!

Great pictures, Roger. Dragon flies (or in this case maybe damselflies) entered into a conversation I had recently. Cool to see a picture of that beautiful creature coincidentally.

Mary's note is in Saturday's WhatsUP. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Happy belated Birthday Sharon! May all your dreams come true...

Margaret, Amarillo, Right on - "Dreamin'" was popular late 1960 by Johnny Burnette

Thanks, Jeff, for the info on the Damsel Fly. My father was a dry-fly trout fisherman, and I grew up hearing about damsel flies, but never bothered to ask exactly what they were. Better late than never!

My thoughts and prayers are with Mary today - and with her doctors!

Jeff Kal... you just had to add "more stout body" about us dragonflys didn't you? Now my cover as a swelt woman is all shot to heck! Dragonfly7 is part of my email address. :) LOL