Nature is always, always my refuge, and never more than during hard times. When the world feels too cruel and feelings of overwhelm engulf me, I know to put my focus on the little things. Yesterday I grounded myself by watching these Japanese Beetles on my in-laws’ raspberry plant.
Yes, I know Japanese Beetles are very destructive because they destroy leaves and crops. However, it’s hard to hold a grudge while belonging to the most destructive species on the planet. Humans do a lot more damage than these stunning, iridescent beetles, and yesterday I was grateful to gaze upon their splendor.
This morning as Zippy and I walked Emma around the neighborhood, I paused at a clump of Russian Sage to check out the bee situation. As expected, there were honey bees, but I was especially tickled to notice three grasshoppers perched in various places throughout.
They all seemed to be just chillin’ amongst the purple blooms. I’m in awe of grasshoppers’ intricate bodies and can’t stop looking at this image. How do all those pieces fit together? What percentage of the total body mass are those two enormous eyes? And do their joints ever get tired from all that hopping?
Once again, nature for the win.
Tracy Abell 
I totally agree, Nature is mine too:):) Lovely pictures!
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The natural world is so important for our collective well-being. I’m glad you stopped by to share in my little finds. 🙂
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My pleasure Tracy…
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Stunning photos, Tracy! It’s rare that I get to see a Japanese Beetle, but they are beautiful to behold. Grasshoppers, too, are a rare sight in our urban garden.
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Thank you, Rosaliene. I guess it’s just as well you don’t see many Japanese Beetles in your garden. As for the grasshoppers, I think we have ALL of them in CO this year. I’ve been having great fun walking in the grass along the neighborhood sidewalks and watching them all leap out of the way.
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in our toy bin, we still have a wooden grashopper toy that has a long string and handle. I remember admiring the way the toy maker design the back legs to look like a real grasshopper – and your image reminded me of that toy.
Oh and that image is STUNNING with the purple, soft hues, and that green – mmmmmm
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Thank you for letting me know how the photo reminded you of that wooden grasshopper. It sounds like a very cool toy! And thanks, too, for the kind words re the image. 🙂
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🙂
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Lovely photos, Tracy! Strangely, I don’t seem to have Japanese beetles in my garden but I do have dogbane beetles which are also rainbow, shiny. Grasshoppers are very striking and those eyes! What big eyes they have!
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I’ve never seen a dogbane beetle and just looked them up. Wow! They are stunning to behold. Confession: I could stare at a grasshopper’s eyes for a very long time. 🙂
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I too like to stare into the eyes of grasshoppers and wonder what they see with those big eyes when they look back at me.
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Kindred spirits. 🙂
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Indeed we are the planet’s greatest source of distraction. And it is ironical that it is also we who hold the keys to healing.
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A very wise insight.
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