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| The Antenna ACEO |
Did you know that there are people who dragonfly-watch as a hobby? It’s true! They should come to my house. This year I’ve noticed an abnormal amount of dragonflies. I open my front door and I am greeted with swarms of them sometimes landing on the bushes, alighting on the car antennas and even me!
Being of an inquisitive nature, I wonder what has caused this over-abundance and if any negative consequences will result. So I search the Internet for the answers. It seems there are as many theories as to why there are so many dragonflies as there are species. And according to one dragonfly website there are over 5000 species.
Throughout the world dragonflies are viewed in many different ways. In Europe a dragonfly has an evil connotation. In the Native American culture they are revered and often used in decorations. In fact, in many areas they are an inspiration for much fantastic art and jewelry. In some Asian countries they are a food source and serve medicinal needs.
Dragonfly—the name itself is rather threatening, but is a dragonfly a danger to humans? Relax, they don’t bite or sting even though they look as if they could. They eat mosquitoes that do bite, which is beneficial. And they are pretty cool looking with all the different colors and varieties. My suggestion is to employ a few dragonflies in your life and art…I know they won’t sit still for very long but they do make a good painting.
Be sure to visit all the great art to be found at PAINT PARTY FRIDAY Thanks Kristin and Eva and have a great weekend!
After my really bad day today, I just noticed that TODAY is my year in blogging anniversary--not tomorrow! Is fate trying to tell me something??? How ironic it that??? Does this mean something? At any rate I will draw the giveaway winners tomorrow.
After my really bad day today, I just noticed that TODAY is my year in blogging anniversary--not tomorrow! Is fate trying to tell me something??? How ironic it that??? Does this mean something? At any rate I will draw the giveaway winners tomorrow.
I love dragonflies, and when I walk down to the duck pond, there are always lots of them about. But I do know people who are scared of them - I'm just scared of spiders and wasps! Have a nice weekend, Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI think dragonflies are pretty cool and wish they'd find their way to my yard. I think I'll do a painting of a dragonfly or two this weekend. I'm somewhat surprised that you didn't paint one for this post. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes dragonflies! They are in abundance here every year as well, in sizes small, medium, and large and so many different beautiful colors...There was a year once where there were so many they clung to each other like strands of dragonfly ribbon off of tree branches, farm equipment, everywhere! :0) It's one of the reasons why our house at Gardens Keep has been dubbed Dragonfly Cottage!
ReplyDeleteThat so interesting some of the background of dragonflies.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought they were lovely to look at, and have done a couple watercolors of them.
Haven't seen any in my yard...wish I did, but maybe they need to be around water.
My grandparents called them Snake Doctors, but I have no idea why. I've always been fascinated by them, and love the art nouveau representations of them.
ReplyDeleteInteresting research on dragonflies. I believe that they are the same thing as snake doctors, which used to be in abundance where I grew up.
ReplyDeletedragon flys do have a magical quality about them and I love that they eat mosquitoes..
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a little girl, someone told me that dragonflies would sew my mouth shut! So I always ran away from them.
ReplyDeleteI think they are one of the more beautiful creatures of the insect world.
I love dragonflys, Crystal. We have them around in the early evening eating the biting flys and mosquitos. They look like tiny helicopters. As a child, I was told they were called sewing needles and would sew up your lips if they got the chance. Sadistic mother, I guess. Anyway I never feared them, guess I always kept my mouth shut.....LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such an interesting post. Enjoy the weekend, Happy PPF, Annette x
ReplyDeleteDragonflies are one of my favorite things- I collect them and they're my logo too!
ReplyDeleteI love dragonflies--I french bead them--although I am a little afraid of the real ones!
ReplyDeleteDarn it, I just made a post and it disappeared!!! I guess a dragonfly took it! LOL ;o) I just wanted to say, that I love dragonflies! And, what I believe in, is if one comes to you, or lands on you, it means great change! Watch out Crystal, something big is going to happen ;o) And, also they are great for eating the bugs! Like mosquitoes ;o) Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteLove dragonflies and great info ~ thanks ~ looking forward to your painting of one ~ Happy PPF ~ Carol ^_^ (Share the Creative Journey)
ReplyDeletewell, happy blogoversary!
ReplyDeletesorry about the bad day, though! ugh.
Love the dragonfly! Wonderful!
I see dragonfly's in jewelry and all sorts of things I love them in real life too. Silly me I didn't know they ate mosquitoes how useful they could be in malaria countries. lovely painting and experience this must have been Dxx
ReplyDeleteI love dragonflies (even have a tattoo of one!). I remember one evening my husband and I were sitting out on our deck and a huge group of dragonflies was flying above us. I'd never seen them swarm like that before nor seen so many at the same time. It was magical.
ReplyDeleteYour painting is lovely and I'm glad you have so many dragonfly visitors by you!
Happy PPF!
to me dragonflies say, summer. I just love the bugs of summer, is that weird??? LOL - this is beautiful. my kids are terrified of them!
ReplyDeletehappy blog annniversary my friend!!!
xoxoxo
You know, when I commented before, I thought that the photo was ...a photo. I just now realized that it is your most beautiful painting of a dragonfly. Wow, you can really capture likenesses. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI used to be afraid of Dragonflys, but I'm grown up now (sort of) and realize they are harmless! They are so pretty and can be such an inspiration! I did a dragonfly painting this summer as well! Love your detail!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Nat
When I was a child I was afraid of dragonflies and it wasn't until I was an adult sitting in a row boat on Rice Lake in northern Wisconsin and visited by what seemed like hundreds of them that I changed my mind. All they did to me was give me the once over and although a few settled on me, nothing bad happened. They are so beautiful up close and I wish I could have another chance to see them like that.
ReplyDeleteI don't see too many of them here in Ireland but have often seen them in warmer European countries and I like them - as far as flying bugs go I think they're quite pretty! I like the ACEO you did of one of them - so detailed!
ReplyDeleteWonderful ACEO!. Here in Louisiana, anything that eats mosquitoes is condidered good! They are nicknamed skeeter hawks here, which shows how much we love them. I love the irridescent blues, greens and purples in them and the way they will light on you for a while if you are sitting still, so you can get a good look.
ReplyDeleteI always learn something new when I visit your blog :)
ReplyDeleteDragonflies always remind me of childhood summers spent in Cape Cod... very fond memories!
You dragonfly is wonderful... the antenna looks like a mate ;)
xo
Kristin
Very beautiful painting of one you did.
ReplyDeleteI happen to love them and always point them out to my kids.
They have so many colors and remind me of little helicopters.
My friend has a tattoo of one that looks amazing.
beautiful capture of the dragonfly resulting in a beautiful painting! For me they are harmless and the possibility of a swarm might be a migration from one place to another.. seeking habitat or food. Happy blogversary to you! I might try to paint that someday. Btw, I love feeding on your fishes!
ReplyDeleteI've always been fascinated by dragonflies ( and dragons too!)and I have been photographing them since I was a kid ( my first one with a 110 camera, remember those? OK I'm dating myself here!) I finally painted a 22 X 30 watercolor of one a few years back ( the print is on my Etsy site on the blog if ya want to check it out!)Your painting is beautiful!!!And I loved all the info your researched on the little gems! Deb
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Your painting turned out great.....adore the detailed wings. Imagine if it was June bugs....hubby started his new job in Saskatchewan and he sent me a video ....the ground was moving with about a 1-2 inches of june bugs.The fellows couldn't walk outdoors without getting them in their hair, mouths and body...yuk! Dragonflies , even in numbers I think I would prefer.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog-anniversary! Interesting post about beautiful dragonflies.
ReplyDeleteKat :-)
Pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so exquisite. I'm a little late with paint party friday, but stopped by to say hi!
ReplyDeleteI love dragonflies!! I also love your dragonfly!
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure about dragonflies, lol...but everyone else seems to like them. I have watched them, and I must say that they are smarter than they look, LOL! Kathryn
ReplyDelete