(South Africa)

Firefly symphony

There were thousands.  By the time I got my camera and returned to the spot, the chorus had already peaked and the flies were higher in the trees, drifting towards the moon.   If you could see them blinking, you'd notice distinctive rhythmic patterns exhibited by different groups, and the patterns were performed in exact unison with each other-- it really felt like witnessing a mysterious sacred concert, and we were surrounded in it.  My dad, an entomologist, says this dirt road is one of the best and most active firefly spots he's ever seen, and that the planned development for this area should make efforts at reducing light pollution and maintaining as much of an undisturbed buffer as possible -- or this will be lost.

(end of Penobscot Street, Orono, Maine)

Hatch

 

(Kigali, Rwanda)

 The last few weeks have been quite cool on the Island.  So cool that termites have hatched out of the ground by the thousands.  They're like little biplanes when they emerge, taking off from their underground bunkers, buzzing off into the night, dancing in the light.  Clearly some of them are into pulling off pretty fancy flight maneuvers, top gun style.

(Kibuye, Rwanda)

Bug Kiss

Bugs kiss too.  Or are they passing the peace?  Maybe both.

(Rwanda)

Teach us to pray

Sometimes animals teach us how to do things... (Job 12:7-10).  
And when you pray, move your feet (African proverb). 

(our porch, Kigali, Rwanda)

Plow bug

I'm forgetting the name of this guy, but it'something like 'children's plow'... if you squint you can just about see why.  Blue feet, how cool is that?!  (feet...that's the technical term, right Dad?)

 (Rulindo, Rwanda)

Pollinate

 (Rwanda)

A Caterpillar

 I believe this is a Mopane moth caterpillar, Imbrasia belina.  Dad, do you concur?  Sure is a hungry little bugger.  (Rutundu Cabin, Mt Kenya, Kenya)