AFTER a day of Christmas Shopping! Ever felt like this?

This image perfectly describes the aftermath of one of MY shopping days. Sometimes you feel like you could just crash ANYWHERE ;0)

Photograph captured at Richmond Metro Zoo by a good friend.

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Who did it? Katydid..... who else!

Autumn comes to the Angle-wing Katydid - Genus Microcentrum

Bugguide.net information on this statuesque insect: http://bugguide.net/node/view/6290

(click on image to supersize)

Nature Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Portrait of a Lady

Tenodera aridifolia sinensis upon a bed of Asters

Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Old Cliche - You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar - Who knew the lowly Fly could be so BEAUTIFUL!

Maybe some flies do have "good taste" after all ;0)

Allergies aside..... enjoy the sweet rich yellows of the Goldenrod. A must in the garden if you love butterflies, bees, moths & more! (click on image to supersize)
Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Queen Anne's Lace Beyond Unfurled - Seeds Abound

Shown is the intricate beauty of this old timey Virginia wildflower that is splendidly interesting before completely open, after and as seeds develop. I remember placing them in juice glasses containing water and food coloring to tint them in shades of pink, blue, green and yellow. I still love their natural white best ;0)

(click on image to see detail)

Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Bumblebee On Wild Asters

Laden with pollen

Nature Photographs by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Miniature Umbrellas

Delicate mushrooms emerging in unison following a warm Summer shower. Photo by a dear friend..... thanks Adrienne Celeste ;0)

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

When I grow up I want to be a tree ;0)

Maybe in my NEXT life?

It's all a matter of perspective..... How we perceive what we see, events in our lives or even how we view ourselves can determine our future. But let us accept the things we cannot change..... like if we were born a mushroom instead of a tree..... ha!

Ponder these questions for a moment though: Do you think BIG or small? Is your cup half empty or half FULL? Do you relish GOODNESS or evil? Can you differentiate illusion from REALITY? Can you recognize that ACTIONS do speak louder than words? ETC. etc. etc.........

I believe that possessing the ability to endlessly QUESTION and not simply surrender to the views or wishes of others is the key to personal fulfillment. Also being able to say WHAT IF allows us to strive for our own idea of personal greatness.

Thanks Adrienne Celeste for another thought provoking image ;0)

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Style Savy Mushroom - With An Architectural Flair!

This is one smart mushroom - for showing up in such a "classy" terrain..... with its own architectural lines it fits right in! Definitely not an eyesore and stands proud as any other blossom in the flower garden would ;0)

This beautiful photograph is by a good friend..... Thanks Adrienne Celeste! Don't forget to click on the image to supersize.

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Damselfly - Beautiful Colors From Summer Past

Damselflies are so gentle that often they are very easy targets for a great camera shot. I just love them and so does my friend..... Thanks for sharing this lovely picture Adrienne Celeste ;0)

Check out more damselflies at Bugguide.net: http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=damselfly&search=Search

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

A Summertime Sip - Skipper On Clover

Ordinary Pink Clover gets a welcome visit from this ordinary little butterfly ;0)

(click on image to see larger)

Photo by a dear friend..... Thanks Adrienne Celeste!

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

We have Scarab Beetles in Richmond, Virginia

(click on images to enlarge)

The Ancient Egyptians immortalized these little "sacred" insects. This little black beauty is just one adorable example of this family of beetles - Scarabaeidae.

Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/