Fly Time 2
On that paperbark tree, where big little creatures can be found in peril for their life. … It looked like a wasp at first, just the colours.
*Click on the pictures for a proper look … and click again
Maybe it’s something about the other creatures that inhabit the tree, or that parasitise it, that causes some to be born broken.
As with the preying mantis from a week ago, this had something wrong with it. The wings wouldn’t fill out, she couldn’t fly.
With wings undeveloped, not pumped up for flight, she wasn’t going anywhere. And she was having a hard time with the ants.
She fell from the tree, to the ground, evading those ubiquitous ants, so I picked her up. Give her a chance to do some living, why not.
I didn’t leave her this time, taking her home in a jar I keep in the car, where she lived a few days longer than she otherwise would.
I gave her sweet water and left some nature with her, a bit of bark and a few clover flower heads. She liked it on my warm hand.
Pollen on her face … she got used to me quick enough, and lived the life she could, undaunted. No sign of any predators intruding.
She seemed to pick up at times, displaying enough vitality I thought it might just correct her wings. But such magic was not to be.
But still … a proud little thing, little messenger of the nature gods of pollination and marvel. Marvel, who designs these little wonders.
I worked her for a while, then she was gone … passed, as all things do. This is her epitaph … pictures of nature in a world in decline.
Man has gone mad, he just hasn’t realised it yet. Even mad is relative here.
On that paperbark tree again, another live casualty.
And not a sign of self pity. Just living and dying as a matter of fact.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click on those pictures for a closer look
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Nature's Place 
Hi Mark. Wonderful pictures as always and beautiful words and actions to support it. If everyone valued all forms of life like this, the world would be a wonderful place.
Hi Graham. I don’t think this world is for that. There is logic to the madness.
Logic to madness? Is that a contradiction? 🙂
Madness is just another form of pain, and pain (in any form) serves to separate I from forms of I, as long as there is I to separate – I the observer, and madness the observed.
And it’s demonstrable in your experience. The madness of anger for instance … or hate, or jealousy, or …
I see. Interesting perspective. Don’t think I agree with all of it but no wish to have a philosophical debate right now…I mainly love your blog for your amazing photos, and I give you thanks for it because you bring a world most people are unaware of (sometimes by choice) into vivid life and detail.
It’s either true in your experience or it’s not, it’s not a matter of opinion. But no big deal.
Thanks Graham.
wow, it’s so beautiful
It is …
Yes, man has gone mad. I think some do realize and grieve… for the now and what we leave for our children, and children’s children. Thank you, as always for your gentle, and poignant perspective.
Sanity is a different octave of being, where the real sun shines behind the clouds of normality.
Thanks Audrey.
Nice content
Thanks.
Very Nice Mark! Amazing detail in your images!
Thanks Reed.
Beautifully photographed, and beautifully written. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Dee.
Great photo and story/thoughts Mark.
Thanks David.
Best post I’ve ever read from you, Mark as well as the usual spectacular photos. Thank you.
Thanks John.
absolutely wonderful Mark, perfect narrative, thanks for your work, it is appreciated
Thanks Daniel.