Small But Significant

“In nature, nothing exists alone.” - Rachel Carson

A tryst with nature #insect #photography

 

The Art of Living Together

All Nature is linked together by invisible bonds and every organic creature, however low, however feeble, however dependent, is necessary to the well-being of some other among the myriad forms of life. — George Perkins Marsh

Duckweed is the tiny floating plant often seen covering the surface of ponds. It is packed with nutrients such as protein as well as vitamins which serve as a dietary supplement for ducks especially during the breeding and migration seasons. The relationship between ducks and duckweed is a prime example of symbiosis in nature. Ducks help control the growth of duckweed by preventing it from overtaking a water body, while duckweed provides ducks with a nutritious food source. Apart from this, the weed offers a home for several microorganisms by providing natural shade and shelter for young fish and amphibians. This intricate connection is essential for maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem.

A tryst with nature #duck #photography 

Green Malachite Butterfly

Green Malachite butterflies are known for their vibrant green and black coloration. They have green wings with black stripes and a wingspan of about 8 to 10 centimetres. These butterflies are native to tropical as well as subtropical regions of the America. They are strong fliers and can manoeuvre through the dense foliage easily. Malachites undergo a complete metamorphic life cycle, consisting of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis) and adult butterfly. These butterflies are not considered endangered.

A tryst with nature #malachite #photography 

This post is part of Blogchatter's Half Marathon

Meadow Brown

Meadow Browns are common to Europe, Asia and North Africa during the summer months. Their habitats include meadows and grasslands. These butterflies have wings that are primarily brown with a distinctive eye spot on each forewing. The wingspan typically ranges from 4 to 6 centimeters. The caterpillars of Meadow Browns primarily feed on grasses which are plenty in the meadow habitats. The brown wings with eye spots help meadow browns to blend into the grassy environments, providing some protection from predators. The lifecycle comprises of four stages - egg, Larval Stage (Caterpillar), Pupal Stage (Chrysalis) and Adult Stage (Butterfly). Meadow Browns is a species of least concern in terms of conservation status and play a vital role in pollination.

A tryst with nature #meadowbrown #photography 

This post is part of Blogchatter's Half Marathon

Red Admiral Butterfly

Red Admirals are commonly observed in various habitats such as gardens, meadows and woodland edges of North America, Europe, Asia as well as North Africa. They have a distinctive appearance with dark black or brownish-black wings and red-orange bands across the forewings. They also have white spots on their wings. The wingspan of these fascinating butterflies range from 2.0 to 2.75 inches.

These butterflies exhibit migratory behaviour patterns with populations often moving north during the spring and summer and then returning south during the fall. The caterpillars of the Red Admiral feed on various plants such as nettles. Despite their vibrant colours, Red Admirals are known for their ability to blend into their surroundings when their wings are closed as the dark undersides of their wings provide an excellent camouflage.

Like all butterflies, Red Admirals undergo complete metamorphosis, which includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult butterfly.

Red Admirals are generally considered to be of least concern and their numbers can vary from year to year due to factors such as weather and food availability.

A tryst with nature #redadmiral #photography 

This post is part of Blogchatter's Half Marathon

Banded Demoiselle

Banded Demoiselle is a species of damselfly commonly found in Europe and parts of Asia along slow-flowing streams and rivers with muddy bottoms. They are 45mm long and have a metallic, iridescent blue-green body with large, dark blue-black wing patches. The females are generally less colourful, with greenish bodies as well as clear wings. Males are territorial and often perform aerial displays or combats to attract females.

Banded demoiselles have an aquatic larval stage, which is spent in the water. They undergo an incomplete metamorphosis, involving three life stages: egg, nymph and adult. After spending several months as aquatic nymphs, they emerge from the water and turn into adults. Both nymphs and adults are carnivorous and mainly feed on small aquatic invertebrates, and flying insects. Banded demoiselles are preyed upon by birds, larger insects and spiders. Their bright colours serve as a warning to predators that they may be toxic for consumption.

These damselflies are typically active during the summer months and currently their numbers are impacted by pollution, over-shading from tree growth as well as removal of aquatic vegetation.

A tryst with nature #bandeddemoiselle #photography 

This post is part of Blogchatter's Half Marathon

Peacock Butterfly

Peacock butterflies are found in Europe and temperate Asia during the months of spring and summer. Their habitat includes gardens, meadows and woodlands. The butterfly is known for its striking and colorful appearance. The upper side of wings is a vibrant combination of orange, black, blue and red markings, resembling the pattern found on a peacock's tail feathers. The underwings are darker providing camouflage when the butterfly is resting. These butterflies undergo a complete metamorphosis: egg, caterpillar, pupa and adult butterfly. The female lays her eggs on the undersides of nettle leaves, which serve as food for the caterpillars.

The bright coloration of the butterfly warns predators that the it might be toxic. Also, the "eye spots" on the wings resemble the eyes of larger animals, which can deter predators. During colder months, adult peacock butterflies hibernate and reach a dormant stage to conserve energy.

Peacock butterflies play a vital role in pollination and help in the reproduction of many plant species. Apart from this, they are an important part of the food chain by providing a food source for birds and other potential predators. Peacock butterflies are not considered threatened. However, their numbers are affected by habitat loss, pesticide usage and climate change.

A tryst with nature #peacockbutterfly #photography 

This post is part of Blogchatter's Half Marathon