Arachnida, Fauna, Insecta, Nature, People, Philippines, Uncategorized5 Comments

Chasing Critters — a story of two boys’ ongoing fascination with arthropods

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In Liloan, about 23 kilometers north of Cebu City, live two brothers: Reef and Nemo. On many accounts, they are like most little boys their age. They have heaps of energy — they roughhouse with each other, climb on furniture, build pillow forts in the bedroom, their tummies are little black holes for food and snacks, and, of course, they often get in trouble with their mum and dad. However, there is one thing about these lads that is rather unusual — they spend a great deal of time outdoors, observing and learning about terrestrial arthropods: insects, spiders, and other little invertebrates that live on land. I have the great privilege of being their father. Continue reading Chasing Critters — a story of two boys’ ongoing fascination with arthropods

Laos, People, travel2 Comments

Gray Areas — A Black and White Perspective on Laos

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The little landlocked nation of Laos in Southeast Asia ambles along while the rest of the world whizzes past. Quiet but ever so compelling, it imposes a realignment of priorities, drawing one into thoughtful introspection and a careful consideration of beauty, peace, and contentment.

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Arachnida, backlighting, Buthoidea, Fauna, Laos, Scorpiones, Scorpionidae3 Comments

Lychas mucronatus: the Ornate Bark Scorpion

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All too often, my encounters with creatures in the wild are too brief: some take flight, while others hop, jump, scurry, or slither away, sometimes even before I am able to photograph them. Often, I let a subject go because I do not wish to stress it too much. But once in a while, everything comes together perfectly, giving me the time to fiddle around and play with photographic composition and lighting — this Lychas mucronatus let me do just that.

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