Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural, and Personal History

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If you already have a pond in your yard or are considering building one, it helps to have some vertical plants coming out of the water. This is where the female dragonflies and damselflies will lay theireggs. In conclusion, “Chasing Fireflies” is a novel that is not to be missed. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Charles Martin’s work or new to his writing, this book is sure to capture your heart and leave a lasting impact. So grab a copy, settle in, and let yourself be swept away by the emotional power of this touching and unforgettable tale.

One of the most significant themes in “Chasing Fireflies” is the power of forgiveness. Throughout the book, the characters grapple with the idea of letting go of past hurts and embracing the ability to move forward. This is exemplified in the relationship between Chase and his father, who must come to terms with their past mistakes to find a way to reconcile. You seem to know little or nothing about the larval, aka nymph, stage in the life cycle of dragonflies. Dragonfly nymphs are among the most badass predators in ponds, creeks, marshes, or anywhere with relatively slow-moving freshwater. They hang out in the shallows and any other small organism in the area had better watch out because a dragonfly nymph will grab them and eat them! They look totally creepy and I remember when I worked in environmental education, how the kids and even adults with whom we were doing surveys of aquatic invertebrate communities as indicators of water quality, almost always kind of freaked out the first time they saw a dragonfly nymph. e.g. What is that creepy looking creature? It's like a monster. Looks like a transformer. Ouch, it pinched my finger.Donnelly became interested in both birds and dragonflies as a teenager in Washington, D.C. “But there was no easily understood literature, no guides, no nothing,” he says of odes. Donnelly was often stumped by the dragonflies he collected, finding them neither in insect books nor in the Smithsonian Museum’s collection, which he studied extensively. (“They were very kind to me, gave me the run of the place,” he recalls.)

Did you know that dragonflies can live for up to 24 hours? That’s a pretty long time for such a small creature! And in that time, they can travel up to 100 miles. So it’s no wonder these insects are a popular food source for many animals, including cats. I’m inspired by how dragonflies are both tough and fragile; fierce and mild. They each fly for only a few short weeks, yet the species is still around after others have disappeared from the earth. They are cannibals who may eat one another, yet you can safely hold one in your hand. As they transform themselves from water creatures to creatures of the air, they are vulnerable to the predation of frogs or birds. A falling leaf may damage their newly unfolded wings beyond repair. Yet when those same wings harden, they are strong enough to carry many of them thousands of miles in migration. Like the birds with whom they share airspace, dragonflies’ vision is as incredible as their speed. Imagine having eyes that take up most of your head; that can see in all directions, above and below, 360 degrees around; that consist of 28,000 distinct lenses, each one sending its own worldview to the brain, 80 percent of which is busy making sense of all this visual information. You would be…a different sort of creature. If only Franz Kafka had turned the protagonist of his story The Metamorphosis into a dragonfly, the character might have been quite pleased with his new state of being. As Chase grows older, he becomes closer to his father and his childhood friend, who becomes the love of his life. However, their relationship is met with criticism and opposition from their families due to their different social statuses. The story begins with Chase witnessing the death of his mother, which sets him on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. He is taken in by his grandparents, who help him navigate the challenges of growing up without a mother.While spring is a great season to search for dragonflies, the hardiest of them are still out and about through October, even at northern latitudes.Head out once the temperatures have warmed up. As water lovers, they are often around ponds, streams, bogs and rivers. Interestingly, dragonflies are a becoming a good barometer of environmental health and water purity. Some species such as clubtails need pristine, fast-flowingwater. Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural, and Personal History is an engaging, beautifully illustrated introduction to these remarkable insects. Drawing on her experiences as a natural history instructor, dragonfly monitor, cancer survivor, grandmother, and steward, Crosby tells the stories of dragonflies: their roles in poetry and art, their fascinating sex life – unique within the animal kingdom – and their evolution from dark-water dwellers to denizens of the air. We follow Crosby and other citizen-scientists into the prairies, wetlands, and woodlands of the Midwest, where they observe the environment and chronicle dragonfly populations and migration to decipher critical clues about our changing waterways and climate.

Anyone who loves nature should have this delightful and educational book, written by a naturalist who has learned so much and has so much to teach the rest of us. After reading this book, you may just agree that dragonflies are the most interesting creatures on Planet Earth."—Dennis Paulson, Slater Museum of Natural History,author of Dragonflies and Damselflies: A Natural HistoryWe felt so much warmth from this story at our darkest hour, and knew it was perfect for her funeral as it could be easily understood by both young and old. I seemed to be drawn to the image of the beautiful dragonfly and could relate to the suggestion that Abi had risen in glory and was now in paradise. It brought me and others much comfort and, through the piercing grief, I always remember this and that one day, I too, will be able to be with her. A: Yes, in our book review section, we highlight the strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact of “Chasing Fireflies,” helping you decide if it’s worth reading. Q: What is the conclusion of “Chasing Fireflies”? I kind of hate the fact that you're encouraging people to capture winged insects with no instruction because it's so easy to damage a wing if you don't know what you're doing. And if that happens, and they can't fly, they're doomed because they won't be able to forage or escape a predator like a bird. I know from experience that it is not that hard to sneak up on a dragonfly or damselfly if you want to take a photo. If you move slowly and don't make any sudden movements, you can almost always creep up to where you're less than five feet away from them or even closer. And if they're flying around flitting from spot to spot, you need to be patient and wait for them to land. I know because I've done that hundreds of times myself, even though I decided decades ago that I wanted to be fully present when I'm in the field for whatever reason, rather than trying to get the best photo. So I rarely take photographs of anything out in the field nowadays unless it's important for identification, to document the presence of a rare native species or an invasive exotic species not known to be present in the area, to document the presence of a threat or injury, or for some actual purpose. I'm not saying you're wrong to take photos, I just don't do it much any more without a specific reason.

I took way WAY too long to get to this one, but I did end up quite enjoying it, so that was a nice surprise waiting for me. While there’s no definitive answer, it seems that, in most cases, the dragonfly is too giant for a cat to eat. However, if a cat does manage to eat a dragonfly, it’s not likely to be harmful. Dragonflies are generally considered beneficial insects and don’t contain any toxins that would harm cats. So if your cat does manage to snag one, don’t worry! Why Would A Cat Eat Them? The novel is set in the rural South and explores themes of forgiveness, healing, and the preciousness of life. As the brothers navigate their way through the ups and downs of their journey, they encounter a cast of richly-drawn characters who challenge and inspire them to become better versions of themselves. While there’s no evidence that dragonflies are harmful to cats, there is some anecdotal evidence that they may be detrimental to other pets. One study found that dragonflies can contain up to 10 times the amount of lead than what’s considered safe for human consumption. Also, dragonflies may contain pesticides and other toxins that could harm your cat if ingested. So, while there’s no definitive answer as to whether or not cats can eat dragonflies, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and keep them away from your feline friend. What To Do If There Is One Outside My HouseChasing Fireflies” is a heartwarming and poignant novel that explores themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the power of love. Charles Martin’s masterful storytelling draws readers in and takes them on an emotional journey that is both moving and inspiring. Whether you’re a fan of character-driven narratives or enjoy exploring complex emotions, this book is a must-read.