I know we all feel like we have a list of what we need. I'm sure most of it is quite viable. But lately I've had to kinda rethink my list. I started thinking about what was already given to me and am I using it to it's full purpose.
While playing with my "Big Daddy" camera, I discovered this wonderful creature in my water pond. He's here every year and I can't wait to capture his beauty.
I named him Travis after my red-headed Grandfather. They are both strong and dependable sorts.
As much as I love this guy, in 9 years I've been unable to capture his partner "Celestine". Until
now.My Nikon D40 with the 55-200mm telephoto wouldn't quite capture her. She's fiercely fast and has lots of work to do. Just like my Grandmother. I tried hard to get a decent picture, but they're always blurred.
Then, she returned a second day and I had "Big Daddy" ready. I was so thrilled. Watching her, I learned how they mate and then where they lay their eggs. She dips rapidly into the pond and distributes the eggs on top of the lily pads or the water. To do this she must bend her body in half.
Now I don't know why they're called Dragonflies, but after capturing "Celestine's" friend, "Eva" (a green dragonfly) doing the same thing, this is what I saw:
Her torso provides an illusion of eyes, her real eyes become the illusion of a nose and you can even imagine you see large fangs!
Of course, she looks a bit daff with those huge floopy ears!
But she gave me a lesson. She knows her purpose. She needs protection while doing so. Although her partner "Albert" stays close and tries to distract you away with his glory, when left alone she must appear larger and more fierce. No time for make-up, so she uses what God gave her to do the best she can. What a great reminder.
Here's her mate, Albert just so you can see his wonderful self.
He's much larger than her and I am grateful God brought these creatures to my pond. I am also grateful for the pond, water, plants, the home they go with, the community we share, the state we live in, the country we are a citizen of, the world we are given, and most of all, God's love He gave us in His Son.Now, I'm back to taking inventory of what I have and look forward to discovering how to make the most of it.
Shuttered and Thinking...
