June 2008 - Posts
Odonata is a word used to describe both Dragonflies (Anisoptera) and Damselflies (Zygoptera). A lot of folks who watch these little critters regularly, affectionately refer to them as “Odes”. I just posted over a dozen photos of Dragonflies and Damselflies in my gallery. There are lots of different types and I've identified and described each of them. I also included a few that are truly priceless just because of their expressions. You can browse through them at your leisure in Julie's Joy Gallery http://artellacafe.com/photos/julies_joy/default.aspx
I did want to share a couple of pictures here in my blog.
Every time I look at this image, I think this female is some kind of extraterrestrial alien from somewhere way out there ....................... from a distant galaxy, far, far , away. What do you think?
As you know, I like to share lots of information about my photographs. It's not that I have all of this information rolling around my brain, but I just have to satisfy my curiosity sometimes (OK, all of the time) so I research everything. But PLEASE, don't get bogged down with the details. If it's to much information, just enjoy the photos 'cause I just love sharing them with you.
One more teaser:
If you want to know what happens in this love triangle, you'll have to go and check out my gallery! I hope you have as much fun as I did! I never would have imagined that bugs could have lives that were like daytime soaps!
Hugs, Julie 
Bufonidae is a family of frogs known as Toads. Toads can generally be identified by the bumpy or warty appearance on their skin. They also have a pair of glands on the back of their heads that contain poison. The poison in the glands is released when the toad is stressed.
Look closely at his head and behind each of his eyes, you can clearly see each of these poison glands. This photo was taken after my little friend was rescued from the swimming pool well.
If you would like to see his adventures in the swimming pool, take a look in my gallery at http://artellacafe.com/photos/julies_joy/default.aspx
Ok everyone! You all know that I've been submitting photos to JPG Magazine. Well, one of the things that you can also submit are stories. You all had so much fun with my "Wheel Bug" story (and so did I), I decided to submit the entire story along with the photos for consideration for publishing in the JPG Magazine. If you would like to see the entire story along with the rest of the photos, just go to http://www.jpgmag.com/stories/5192.
If you want to vote "Yeah, It Rocks", for this story, you must sign up for membership, which is free. If not, peruse the rest of the stories and photos to see some really fabulous photography. Just click the link on my side bar and you will go right to my story at the JPG Magazine website.
Hugs, Julie 
I am so LOL at all of your comments. If you really think Hollywood is ready for the movie, maybe we could all collaborate on the script. Mary, I am sure glad that you appreciate the fact that I put my life on the line armed only with my camera to bring you these images. Don’t worry, Lori, we will ultimately have every shade in the color spectrum covered. I expect to get a call from Crayola any day now (ya think?). And, CC, I’m glad you like my Blog décor. Almost all of the elements and the entire header are freebies from our generous friend Annamarie. BTW, the facts on this creature suggest that his habitat range is CANADA and the entire United States. Be afraid, my friends. Be very afraid.
Glad you liked my splat.
Hugs, Julie 
These are pictures of a “Wheel Bug”. This particular Wheel Bug is a Nymph (immature). Once they become adults, they lose that bright orange color (adults are brownish-black).
I photographed him yesterday. He was climbing around on one of the plants in a large garden pot. I was using my macro lens and I like to get as close as possible so I can get the best possible detail. These critters love to run away from me, so, I have to keep repositioning my self, the flower pot, and the plant sitting in the pot so that I can get great pictures to show you all.
If I had known then, what I know now, I don’t think that I would have been so bold. This is what I learned:
1. He is the largest bug in the Assassin Bug Family (this is true, I didn’t make this up).
2. The wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) is a "
monster" of the insect world. With its bizarre appearance and deadly beak, it is a dreaded foe of other insects. The wheel bug spears its unfortunate victims with its sharp beak and sucks up the victim's body fluids (YUK!).
3. Even though he is considered a “beneficial” insect and an ally to people, that humongous thing sticking out of the front of his face is called his BEAK. I didn't know that an insect could have a beak! He can, and will inflict a
painful and damaging bite that could take months to heal and can leave a scar.
4. He can also emit an odor as a defense mechanism similar to that of a Stink Bug, but not quite as pungent. The orange bulbous thing is the sac that contains his stink juice. I didn’t smell anything unusual yesterday, so maybe he liked me.
5. These bugs are vicious in the wild. They can be cannibalistic with Nymphs feeding on Nymphs and the female will feed on the male after mating is concluded.
If you see this stinky, vicious, cannibalistic monster bug, it would probably be a good idea to keep your distance.
Hugs Julie 
I wanted to share the inner beauty of one of my favorite flowers. This photo not only shows the Prickly Pear's Flower, but it also shows the adorable, plump little bud along side of the flower. I posted two other view of this lovely gem of a flower in my gallery including a full view of the plant. If you would like to see them, just go to Julie's Joy Gallery at http://artellacafe.com/photos/julies_joy/default.aspx. I hope you enjoy them.
You are all such a great audience and I love that you like my photos. I also love when you leave me comments. Once in a while, someone will ask what my secret is for taking such good photos and I haven't yet responded. I think it is about time that I did.
First, a good camera always helps.
Second, I never post the really bad pictures (and there are plenty of them!). I try not to post the mediocre photos either, unless I am just too excited about getting the particular subject even if it's a bad photo. Just to remind you of the really bad photos I've taken, I'll tell you a stoty. One day, I went out and shot about five hundred photos (yes, I said 500!) and each and every one of them came out pitch black. I was too disappointed for words. I checked out the camera, and made some adjustments so that my photos wouldn't come out black again.I went out and took another couple of hundred photos and I can assure you they didn't come out black! This time, each and every picture came out so bright, they were actually translucent! I couldn't salvage a single photo from that shoot! Entirely frustrated, I went back to the manual and went back over the set up instructions page by page. The next time I wanted to take photos, I not only checked the settings on the camera, I took some photos and checked the results before I ever left the house. The moral of this story is to check the camera, batteries, and settings before you go out to shoot some photos. I just recently took a bunch of pictures without the battery in my camera - and you can guess how that worked out. I'm still having trouble followig my own advise.
If you haven't guessed already, the real secret that I've been hiding is quantity/volume of photos taken! I really do take hundreds of photos. The number of photos taken could depend on how important the subject is to me at that time. For example, you may only get one chance to photograph a particular migrating bird. I always keep in mind that I may not have this opportunity again, so volume counts. Plus, lots of shots give you a better chance of a few good photos. To take between five and eight hundred photos in just a couple of hours is not unusual for me. You might think this is excessive, but that is my real secret. I once read an article that stated the secret that most of the pros don't share is that they do exactly the same thing. The article also says that if a professional tells you otherwise, he's probably not telling you the truth. The major drawback to taking tons of photos is that you have to actually look at all of them and that is very time consuming.
The cat is out of the proverbial bag! My secret is out!
Hugs, Julie 
This tiny little red spidery bug was crawling around on a red garden pot out on my patio. I'm not exactly sure what kind of bug he is, maybe a Spider Mite? I submitted this photo to JPG Magazine for the theme "Color Theory: photos that are mostly one color". If you want to take a look at this photo and some really fantastic photography, follow the link on my side bar and it will take you to JPG Magazine. If you sign up for JPG Membership (free), you can leave comments for any of the photos you like and you can pick favorites and you can even vote for upcoming themes. If you don't want to become a member, just get lost in this beautiful world of photographs. Enjoy!
Hugs, Julie