F.I.G. ...To many organisms, the Fig represents survival. But not all Figs are equal and that brings us to the edge of "Choice " ..once again.

               Fig #1  .........or......  Fig #2

 

                    F ear   ..................   F ortitude

                          I gnorance   ..............  I ntelligence

 

                    G reed   ................ G enerosity

    We saw this Black Faced Capuchin monkey at the Tambopata Research Station in Peru back in 2014. It was amazing to watch him seek out only the perfect FIGs. I think his choices were driven by taste and health. His perfect fig not only tasted good but also led to a longer, healthier life.

 

   

 It's ironic that the words I use to represent our FIGs affect our human lives in similar ways. Like the Capuchin, we need to use Intelligence in choosing the good fig -- especially during this very difficult and confusing time. Otherwise we risk "decomposition" through "Ignorance".

                       Fig # 1: Decomposing Fig 

         

                           Fig # 2: Healthy Fig                

            By choosing the FIG that "fortifies" us, we all benefit.

Go with "Fortitude, Intelligence, Generosity"                            and VOTE!

At the Edge of a Pandemic: "Chaos and Mindfulness"

I sit quietly by the beaver pond in the fog. I can hear a raven and a red tail hawk calling but cannot see them. The bluejays give their warning calls and the smart chickadees, that I can see, shift closer to the tree trunks.

The scene is about adaptation and evolution. These days I see "Virus vs  Human" a bit like the hawk and the chickadees. The chickadees even though they can't see the hawk know to seek safety when the alarms are sounded. They hear the hawk call and the bluejays' warning, and they react. It's a matter of survival.

Humans, as creatures of comfort and dominance, often hear or see warning signs but we don't react or respond.  We don't like to have our routines changed. We don't want to give up our daily lives. We don't want to be told what to do, especially by a single-celled organism.

My question is which organism is more successful at adaptation and evolution -- the single-celled or "large brained" multi-cellular?

___________

During the "stay-at-home" months, I have spent lots of time observing the creatures and natural beauty around me.

          Eastern or maybe a Canadian Tiger Swallowtail

   

Ruby Throated Hummingbird 

This young robin fledged 5 minutes after the photo.

                Red Spotted Purple Butterfly

                   Common Green Darner , I believe

               Osprey on the search for a meal

____________

Some may say the beaver pond hawk is a dominant species. It has evolved and adapted to survive this world.

To be a Top Predator, a species fits into the ecosystem. It does not destroy its habitat or contribute to its own extinction. It does not damage or change the natural balance. If its environment changes, a top predator adapts... moves further up the mountain... moves further north... adapts to new food sources.

Some say humans are a dominant species, a top predator. That may be true, but humans have long fought natural systems. We foul our water, cut down our trees, pollute the air and generally, destroy our habitat.

But today a novel virus called Covid 19 has brought sickness, death, infirmity, fear and chaos into our world. At this time in 2020, the virus is in charge, not us humans.  It's our moment for adaptation and change.  A matter of our survival.

_______________

Aged Snapping Turtle in the sun

Back to Nature: 
This old soul has a certain curiosity in his eye and seems to be very patient.  He's wondering, "What will these humans do?"

Will we choose to be mindful of the world around us or will we continue to let chaos rule. Mindfulness and Chaos -- which will you choose?

Reference: 
Excellent article that inspired this post.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/25/coronavirus-nature-is-sending-us-a-message-says-un-environment-chief

Equinox -- at the Edge of "Light" and" Dark"

Let's start with the Light.

Nature is pushing forward with Spring.

     Sometimes you need to push a bit yourself.

 

Gretchen, my brother Rob and I returned from a super trip to Costa Rica, just 20 days ago.

 Timing is so important and many times just random. We were fortunate to have everything go smoothly. We stayed at our new favorite lodge, Congo Bongo, on our favorite beach.

 

 Here is a busy Sunday.

      

   

The insects were beautiful, too. 

Blue Morpho Butterfly 

 

Helicopter Damselfly

 

A True Bug... maybe a leaf-footed bug

But the Frogs were the best! 

Like this Red-eyed Green Tree frog

Masked Tree frog

     Strawberry Dart Frog (a poison dart frog)       

 

They even knew where to hang out. An Andinobates?

The birds were not bad either. 

(Can you spot 2 Great Green Macaws?)

 

 

And, of course, there were the Sloths and the Howlers...

    

 This trip once again renewed our trust in our fellow humans (well, some humans). We met amazing new friends from all over the world, most of whom were talking about our REAL "most pressing problem": 

Human Caused Climate Change. 

I continue to be impressed with the people of Costa Rica --

so many smiles and so much kindness...

 

Our return to NH had the usual travel bumps. But in the big picture we were sooo lucky to sail through airport immigration and customs.  We caught the bus out of Logan and were in the house by 12:30 am Friday, March 6.

I am so thankful to be living where we do. My friend Harry persuaded me to get out and photograph a waterfall. I went with him outside Meredith where we had a great day to appreciate our environment .

 

 I also had the joy of finding a true "Roly Poly" isopod in our greenhouse. My first ever...

Good Memories of Teaching Life Science

____

Since being home, the world has surely changed. The good news is we live in an area of beauty and space to be with Nature.

We also have choices:  Be responsible and take a chance to turn this latest Wake-up Call into a balance of sustainability and kindness...

 Or go down to greed and hate and the collapse of our species.

But that will be for another Blog...