I Like Bugs

Why? That is always the question. Why do you like bugs? What is it that you like about them?

Well honestly I do not know. What I do know is that I like em all. Little ones, colorful ones, big ones, hairy ones and even the scary ones, I like 'em all.

When I was young, very young, I used to collect spiders of all kinds. I would pick them like ripe fruit from window sills, nooks and crannies, under leaves and in trees. I would find them and toss them all in one big glass jar. I had my very own ultimate bug fight club.

Twisted, maybe. But more importantly, educating. I learned that it was not always the big guys that won... it was the little guys, quick and nimble that often survived the fight. This is how I met the Red Roman. This spider gives me the creeps and I like bugs.

In my years of inspecting bugs I've learned a few things.

They Are Purpose Built

In Los Barilles, Mexico I found this little guy hiding under our shovel. Growing up to 4 inches big and built for speed, They eat anything they can chase down and catch. Red romans have a habit of biting patches of hair from animals (humans included) to use for making their nests.

These spiders look for dark places to hide. When you turn the light on this bugger will run for the closest shadow to hide in. If that shadow happens to be yours, let's just say it will be chasing you for a while.

They Have Wicked Designs

Some bugs look downright pimped out. Like they were taken into a body shop and given a custom pinstripe paint job. The only thing missing are the spinning rims.

I found this grasshopper in Atenas, Costa Rica. If you're like me, you'd think that grass hoppers were all green or brown.

They Are Delicate

I know everyone loves the fragile flutter of butterflies. This little guy is called a clear wing. As far as butterflies are concerned this one is by far my favorite. The first time I saw one in the wild I thought it was a figment of my imagination. It is as amazing as it is difficult to see.

They Are Incredibly Detailed

When a bug lands on you, most peoples first reaction is to do a little dance to try to get it to leave. These two made no threats, they were simply looking for a dry place out of the rain. When I first saw them they looked like forgotten toys with the wings and bodies pressed out of thin plastic. On closer inspection they were so detailed that I had to take a photo.

What are your favorite things about bugs?

Comments

 

#2 Daria 2012-07-29 03:21

I love bugs too! I've been shooting dragonflies, butterflies and bees today. Thanks for sharing these exotic specimens!

 

 

#1 James 2012-07-27 15:18

Bugs rule! Except for the common cockroach. Sure they are bulletproof and billions of years old but I still don't want them crawling around in my stuff.

More bug pics!

 

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