Monarch In The Making …

public.jpeg

Teresa capture this photograph of a monarch caterpillar while we were hiking this week. The caterpillar eats the milkweed, but the butterfly doesn’t. Here is the inside story on this amazing bond:

”You see, the latex-based sap produced by milkweed plants contains toxic compounds called cardenolides. Most other insects, save for a handful of species, can’t digest these toxins; it kills them or they avoid it all together due to its foul taste. But monarch caterpillars actually absorb these toxins as they feed on milkweed leaves, rendering the caterpillars themselves toxic to potential predators. The toxins found in the monarch butterfly host plant actually help protect the caterpillars and adult butterflies from birds and other predators.” (Source: The monarch butterfly host plant: Milkweeds ...)

And now you know ...

We hiked this week .. here is our latest video .. enjoy.

~ Rick

Rick’s latest technology muse:

Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2019 Rick Cartwright

Bike Trails

public.jpeg

We hike this trail frequently. Lately I have been biking it with my son.

This photo was taken just about ½ way between Piqua and Troy. The trail curves back and forth, and it is so beautiful. You don’t see too many birds during the Summer due to the heavy follage, but its not uncommon to see a deer or two.

This weekend on a bike ride south of Troy, we saw three or four deer on the trial at about 7:00A. They didn’t waste any time running off to a safe place.

In the future I am. going to start wearing my GoPro so I can. capture some of this footage.

~ Rick

Rick’s latest technology muse:

Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2019 Rick Cartwright

Old Fallen Tree That Refused to Give Up

public.jpeg

Check out this dead tree. Wait, look closely at what has happened. There are new sprouts, and one has gown into a larger tree.

I guess the old tree refused to give up. I’m sure there is a lesson in there for each of us. The fact is, age does not matter. You can always try something new. Never give up my friends.

Regardless, it is very cool.

~ Rick

public.jpeg

Rick’s latest technology muse:

Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2019 Rick Cartwright

Holy Chipmunks, Batman

public.jpeg

I have made many attempts to capture a photo of a chipmunk for a long time. They never stay in one place long enough for a photo. I was shocked when this little guy ignored me ... I guess it was the love of food. There was several of them, and they were in the bird feeders having a feast.

The video below covers some of what we saw on our hike at Glen Helen Nature Preserve. Enjoy!

~ Rick

Rick’s latest technology muse:

Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2019 Rick Cartwright

A Snake in the Grass

public.jpeg

We just about stepped on this little guy. I think this is the first photo I have shared of a snake.

~ Rick

Rick’s latest technology muse:

Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2019 Rick Cartwright