EsperLuxe’s Post

"Organic" Part of a personal project series showing Potato seeds chitting and Root formations at the base of pot plants. #photography #organic #studiophotography #productphotography

I produced this #watercolor #painting of a Spring peeper frog for field #biology class. We had to catch and document a minimum of six different species of #frogs with one rarity for extra credit. I found that one too, because I was a #nature hound, and still am. This past spring, I finally captured video of a western chorus frog singing just like this peeper with its vocal sac extended. The miracle of nature is its #diversity, with each living creature exquisitely designed through the process of #evolution to exist in its habitat and a niche within that #ecosystem. These frogs will soon be buried in the mud to wait out the winter in a state of torpidity with lowered heartbeats and no need for food for months at a time. Some species contain a chemical in their blood to help them survive through freezing temperatures. Then each emerges at its allotted time in #spring, with chorus frogs often calling in fifty-degree temps along with peepers. Then come leopard frogs, American toads, green frogs and bullfrogs in the Midwest. All of this activity is timed for optimal opportunities for #breeding success, with egg clusters sometimes attached to underwater plants, from which the young hatch as tadpoles, absorb their tails and turn into frogs. This sequence somewhat approximates the life history of #aquatic creatures moving from #water to land. Life imitates the #art of evolution, you might say.

5 Unique Fungus: 1. Devil's Fingers (Clathrus archeri): This fascinating fungus begins its life encapsulated within a gelatinous egg-like structure. As it matures, the egg ruptures, revealing four to seven 'fingers'. These red, tentacle-like arms, covered with a foul-smelling goo, are a shocking sight to stumble upon in nature. 2. Elfin Saddle (Helvella lacunosa): This peculiar fungus sports a saddle-shaped cap, often wrinkled or wavy, sitting atop a complexly furrowed stem. Its dark color and striking form evoke images of a saddle fit for woodland elves. 3. Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha): Like Devil's Fingers, this fungus offers a touch of the macabre. With their eerie, finger-like protrusions that appear to be emerging from the ground. 4. Purple Jellydisc (Ascocoryne sarcoides): Unlike its namesake the jellyfish, the Purple Jellydisc grows on decaying wood and is often found during the colder months. The vibrant purple hue of the cap stands out against the winter landscape, and its jelly-like texture and disc shape give it an alien-like appearance. 5. Collared Earthstar (Geastrum triplex): True to its name, this fungus resembles a fallen star. The outer layer splits into segments that peel back, forming a 'star' shape around the spore-filled sac. Notably, the Collared Earthstar features a distinct collar, or 'triple wall,' around the spore sac. Each of these fungi not only underscores the diverse range of forms in the fungi kingdom, but they also spark our curiosity and fascination about the intricacies of nature (Collared Earthstar) 👇

Some good info !!

TEST YOUR STRAWBERRY FLOWER ANATOMY SKILLS, Part 3 How does calyx size and shape affect strawberry color and susceptibility to decay? 🤔 The architecture of the calyx (or cap) on strawberries is an important feature to consider. If the calyx is large, it will trap moisture and promote decay (far left). If it is excessively reflexed, it looks a bit odd (far right). The perfect fruit would have a small to moderately sized calyx that is slightly reflexed as opposed to appressed (center). This will give the freshness color indicator while not promoting decay. Watch our short video to learn more about strawberry plant anatomy! https://lnkd.in/gNAKPNcx Sarah Herring Gabrielle Brocker

📣 This is not a snake! Despite their resemblance, Glass lizards (Ophisaurus) are true lizards. Unlike snakes, glass lizards have moveable eyelids and external ear openings. Additionally, they are unable to separate their lower jaws to consume prey that is larger than their heads. These lizards are less flexible than snakes and rely on their side scales, rather than their belly scales, to propel themselves forward. This means that they can be easily slowed down or immobilized by a hard, flat surface. 🦎 The name "glass lizard" originates from the lizard's ability to detach its tail as a defensive tactic. In fact, up to two-thirds of their body length can be tail. When the tail breaks off, it often does so in multiple sections, giving the appearance that the lizard has shattered into pieces. However, contrary to popular belief, the broken pieces do not rejoin. Instead, the lizard's tail gradually grows back over a period of months or years. #lizard #lizards #reptilelover #lizardsofinstagram #reptiles #glasslizard #ophisaurus #UGASREL #ecology #conservation #research #education #outreach

https://ow.ly/8CNX50QA2YV Girard-Perregaux Quartz Chronometer -The Original Laureato from 1975 The bracelet is made of steel with a gold band embedded into each segment of the strap. This was the hardest part in the manufacturing process at the time as the segments are the gold strip is not hinged as in later models but part of the strap. The mandate at the time was to create a timepiece that appeared seamless. The bracelet is released by pushing the two springs, as do easy release mechanisms for straps today. Girard-Perregaux #watchlover #horology #luxurylifestyle #watch #luxury

Gerbera Daisies in Expressionism by Roberta Byram. Vibrant orange petals with yellow accents unfold from the center of a flower, which is in sharp focus against a softened green background. Behind the main subject, another similar flower is visible, though it is out of focus and partially obscured by the foreground blooms.  Check out my website! 1-roberta-byram.pixels.com #gerberadaisies 

Happy Saffron Friday! This week, we dive deep into the golden hues of saffron and uncover its historical significance beyond the kitchen. Saffron's impact stretches far and wide, coloring not just our food but also the world of art and manuscripts throughout the ages. 🎨🌼 Saffron in Art and History 🖌️✨ Saffron has long been cherished not only for its flavor and medicinal properties but also for its vibrant color—thanks to crocin, a powerful carotenoid that is water-soluble and remarkably luminous. This distinctive golden pigment found its way into various artistic and cultural expressions: Indo-Persian Miniatures: Saffron was a favored choice for adding rich, enduring color to these intricate artworks. European Illuminated Manuscripts: Known for its 'fugitive color', saffron was less likely to fade over time, making it invaluable in the preservation of historical documents. Safe and Simple Preparation: Unlike other pigments that involved toxic substances like mercury and arsenic, saffron required only a pinch of stigmas infused in water or glair (egg white), offering a non-toxic alternative for brilliant hues. Cennino d'Andrea Cennini's Endorsement 📘 In the seminal art manual Il Libro della Arte, Italian painter Cennino Cennini detailed the use of saffron for achieving the "most perfect grass-green imaginable" by mixing it with verdigris. His methods illustrate saffron's dual role in enhancing both the color and luminosity of paints, making it a valuable resource for Renaissance artists. Why This Matters 🌟 Understanding saffron's role in historical contexts enriches our appreciation of this spice, highlighting its multifaceted importance across different periods and cultures. It's a testament to saffron's enduring legacy that transcends culinary uses and embodies a rich heritage of artistry and innovation. #saffron #agriculture #farming #gardening #plants #art #history

Decrypting the enigmatic world of cryptogams. 🍄 Cryptogams are a mixed bunch of plants and plant-like lifeforms. They include mosses, hornworts, liverworts, ferns, fungi, lichens, slime moulds and algae. Cryptogams’ shared lack of seeds meant their way of reproducing was a mystery to early botanists, who lumped them together in a group. Today, we know most cryptogams do share a common feature; they reproduce by microscopic spores. Telling species apart is our speciality. The cryptogam collection of the Australian National Herbarium has 400,000 specimens identified by expert botanists. We’re now bringing them to the world, thanks to digitisation.