From freshwaterblog.net: The mayfly’s lifecycle is one of the most fascinating and fleeting stories in the natural world.  One of the many characteristics that makes mayflies the unique insects they are is the potential for two different winged adult forms in their life cycle. The nymph emerges from the water as a dull-coloured sub-imago (or dun) that seeks shelter in bankside vegetation and trees. After a period of a couple of hours or more, the sub-imago once again sheds its skin to transform into the brightly coloured imago (or spinner).  It is not clear why mayflies have retained this unique step in their lifecycle, however it is thought that they may not be able to achieve the change from nymph to sexually mature adult in one step. A mayfly’s life cycle starts with the males forming a swarm above the water and the females flying into the swarm to mate.  The male grabs a passing female with its elongated front legs and the pair mate in flight. After copulation, the male releases the female, which then descends to the surface of the water where she lays her eggs. Once mated she will fall, spent, onto the water surface to lie motionless, with her wings flat on the surface, where fish pick them off at their leisure. The male fly rarely returns to the water but instead he goes off to die on the nearby land.

Beautiful up close pattern – Mayfly or Shadfly wing -From freshwaterblog.net: The mayfly’s lifecycle is one of the most fascinating and fleeting stories in the natural world. One of the many characteristics that makes mayflies the unique insects they are is the potential for two different winged adult forms in their life cycle. The nymph emerges from the water as a dull-coloured sub-imago (or dun) that seeks shelter in bankside vegetation and trees. After a period of a couple of hours or more, the sub-imago once again sheds its skin to transform into the brightly coloured imago (or spinner). It is not clear why mayflies have retained this unique step in their lifecycle, however it is thought that they may not be able to achieve the change from nymph to sexually mature adult in one step.
A mayfly’s life cycle starts with the males forming a swarm above the water and the females flying into the swarm to mate. The male grabs a passing female with its elongated front legs and the pair mate in flight. After copulation, the male releases the female, which then descends to the surface of the water where she lays her eggs. Once mated she will fall, spent, onto the water surface to lie motionless, with her wings flat on the surface, where fish pick them off at their leisure. The male fly rarely returns to the water but instead he goes off to die on the nearby land.

How many seeds in a wild strawberry? I do not know but I think this: Strawberry seeds give rise to the strawberry plants that produce the strawberries we all love. We think everyone should have a fond affection for strawberry seeds (unless, of course, you get a strawberry seed stuck in a tooth or between your gums).

Beautiful up close pattern – How many seeds in a wild strawberry? I do not know but I think this: Strawberry seeds give rise to the strawberry plants that produce the strawberries we all love. We think everyone should have a fond affection for strawberry seeds (unless, of course, you get a strawberry seed stuck in a tooth or between your gums).

Beautiful up close pattern -not sure what it is

Beautiful up close pattern -not sure what it is

Beautiful up close pattern - collection of little pudding stones - see heart stone!

Beautiful up close pattern – collection of little pudding stones – see heart stone!

Beautiful up close pattern - New pine growth in the morning dew

Beautiful up close pattern – New pine growth in the morning dew

Beautiful up close pattern - Flame in my burn barrel -OOPS  How in the devil did he get there?

Beautiful up close pattern – Flame in my burn barrel -OOPS How in the devil did he get there?

Looking for Mayflys to eat!

Looking for Mayflys to eat!