http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php by:ryan.d.lee en-us Copyright 2007 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:48:07 EST rlee@ryandlee.com rlee@ryandlee.com http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=103

I was trying to shoot other stuff when I saw like 10 of these things flying all around, playing it seemed. Pretty neat. But none of them stood still for very long.]]>

I was trying to shoot other stuff when I saw like 10 of these things flying all around, playing it seemed. Pretty neat. But none of them stood still for very long.]]> http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=102

This pose reminds me of those gymnasts that swing a leg up to their shoulder and just stand there, holding a leg pointing straight up into the air, as if it is no big deal.]]>

This pose reminds me of those gymnasts that swing a leg up to their shoulder and just stand there, holding a leg pointing straight up into the air, as if it is no big deal.]]> http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=101

These creatures are just so damn cool.]]>

These creatures are just so damn cool.]]> http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=100

Praying mantises have to be the coolest bug out there. This thing was looking at me, posing for the camera, and then kicked my ass. Related link]]>

Praying mantises have to be the coolest bug out there. This thing was looking at me, posing for the camera, and then kicked my ass. Related link]]> http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=99

I found another toad in my yard and of course exploited his good looks with my camera. Not to be confused with this one or this one.]]>

I found another toad in my yard and of course exploited his good looks with my camera. Not to be confused with this one or this one.]]> http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=98

I didn't *quite* get this one in focus...was shooting left-handed in a very awkward position, making every attempt to both get the shot and not get stung. I'll have some more creepy crawly photos in the days to come.]]>

I didn't *quite* get this one in focus...was shooting left-handed in a very awkward position, making every attempt to both get the shot and not get stung. I'll have some more creepy crawly photos in the days to come.]]> http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=97

This bee slowly crawled off the orange flower yesterday and onto my hand. I'll admit, I had a small amount of anxiety about the situation... But since I had put my hand next to the flower and coaxed the bee onto it, I would have been to blame if I got stung. Do these kind of bees sting? Anyway, it crawled around very slowly for a while and then only when I tried to take several more photos of it did it fly away. It was not excited to fly, and it landed in the grass not far from me. This is starting to concern me. I have seen several bees act this way in our garden this year. They seem to fall asleep in the flowers. I mean, I get tired too, and sometimes when I am at work I want to take a nap... But I have never seen bees do that. Upon further examination, this is not looking good.]]>

This bee slowly crawled off the orange flower yesterday and onto my hand. I'll admit, I had a small amount of anxiety about the situation... But since I had put my hand next to the flower and coaxed the bee onto it, I would have been to blame if I got stung. Do these kind of bees sting? Anyway, it crawled around very slowly for a while and then only when I tried to take several more photos of it did it fly away. It was not excited to fly, and it landed in the grass not far from me. This is starting to concern me. I have seen several bees act this way in our garden this year. They seem to fall asleep in the flowers. I mean, I get tired too, and sometimes when I am at work I want to take a nap... But I have never seen bees do that. Upon further examination, this is not looking good.]]> http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=96

I've heard that there is the potential of a mass bee die-off and that that is a potentially catastrophic occurance. I've noticed in my own backyard that the bees seem fatigued. I see them laying down in these columbines, sometimes dying inside the petals. I have a few more bee pics that I will post in the next few days. Has anyone else noticed strange bee behavior?]]>

I've heard that there is the potential of a mass bee die-off and that that is a potentially catastrophic occurance. I've noticed in my own backyard that the bees seem fatigued. I see them laying down in these columbines, sometimes dying inside the petals. I have a few more bee pics that I will post in the next few days. Has anyone else noticed strange bee behavior?]]> http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=95

I was pruning one of my holly bushes the other day and this little guy jumped out of the shrubbery onto my arm. He was the same size as this guy and maybe was the same fellow. It's hard to tell from the photo how small he is, but consider that the leaf he is perched on is about an inch wide by an inch and a half long...]]>

I was pruning one of my holly bushes the other day and this little guy jumped out of the shrubbery onto my arm. He was the same size as this guy and maybe was the same fellow. It's hard to tell from the photo how small he is, but consider that the leaf he is perched on is about an inch wide by an inch and a half long...]]> http://www.ryandlee.com/blog/index.php?id=94

I guess this could be part of a series that seems to be forming about dead insects. Another installment can be found here. These creatures are fascinating and it's unfortunate that the only way to see them up close, really, is when they are no longer flapping their wings. This one is still alive, but not for long.]]>

I guess this could be part of a series that seems to be forming about dead insects. Another installment can be found here. These creatures are fascinating and it's unfortunate that the only way to see them up close, really, is when they are no longer flapping their wings. This one is still alive, but not for long.]]>