Dragonfly

Dragonflies are wickedly out of this world.

They can see in every direction.

They can even fly upside down and fly backwards if they need to.

All four of their wings move slightly differently -  their speed and the way they zip through the air.

They are powerful and masterful hunters who are dainty enough that they can practically float on the surface of water.

Very little gets past a dragonfly - they are almost impossible to sneak up on as they can see in almost every direction with their honeycomb eyes;

yet, they just as easily choose to land on you between flights.

They live through all four seasons and go through a dramatic change to become these miniature flying miracles.

I watched this one eat a leaf hopper this morning.

Unicorn Caterpillar

Sometimes the moth is as invisible as the caterpillar and their beauty lies in the wisdom to blend in with that which is around them.

Another lesson in camouflage.

My field guide to caterpillars of Eastern North America says 'surely a predator would require a special search image to successfully locate a unicorn caterpillar in a forest with its sea of leaves. Perhaps this is their defense, being at the same time cryptic and unusual - like the caterpillars are recognized far less than they are seen.'

Trail

I spend most of my days with children on the trail.

Children are by far my greatest teachers.

They change and grow right before our eyes and just when I think they aren't observing or paying attention they totally rock my world by remembering or seeing something they can't wait to show me.

Working with children keeps me on my path.

Let's not break them.

Let's keep them alive and happy and thriving.