Sunday, June 21, 2009

Like dragonflies, most writers

...emerge in the dark. On vertical supports. Shed skin.


This exuvia caught my eye yesterday morning. As I looked through the viewfinder, I thought about how vulnerable dragonflies are when they're emerging. I wonder if the one that emerged from this skin managed to take flight.

*
June 22

I was just looking at my pics of damselflies, which I took the same day. Their copulatory position looks like an upside-down heart.


There were lots of upside-down hearts out there.

6 comments:

Ian LeTourneau said...

exuvia: what a great word! The English language constantly pleases me!

Brenda Schmidt said...

It is great, isn't it!

Michael Lista said...

That great photo of the dragonflies mating reminded me of the Peter Van Toorn poem from Mountain Tea, "Dragon Flies." Have you read it?

Brenda Schmidt said...

Thanks, Michael! I just reread the poem now. "Dragonflies, Those Bluejays of the Water" nails it. I can't believe it didn't come to mind. Van Toorn's work is amazing. No matter how many times I read them, the poems continue to surprise.

Shawna Lemay said...

incredible photos. wow!

Brenda Schmidt said...

Thanks, Shawna!