Not my favorite childhood memories. But they made a good poem.
True story about the peonies. Last year a kind neighbor gave some to Bella and me when we were loudly admiring them. But they had ant hitchhikers that came with them onto the dining room table.
Right? One thing I didn’t really make clear is that while they do bite with their mandibles, it’s only to anchor themselves while they sting. The sting is actually in their abdomen and each ant stings multiple times, injecting venom in a circular pattern.
I love the mini poems leading into the main one, like appetizers. Then you decorate the table with pretty art. Delightful!
Thank you, Ann.
I thought I was going to have just the one haiku and then the fire ant poem demanded to be written.
I might have written the peony poem just so I could use those Rachel Ruysch photos I took at the MFA last year.
…”just so I could use those Rachel Ruysch photos I took at the MFA last year…”
Reason enough! 🌸
Rachel Ruysch ants! Lovely poems and memories.
I was so excited to be able to use one of my Rachel Ruysch photos.
ah yes, fire ants.... very endemic to central texas.... awful. That really captured the experience!
the first one made me smile!! what an image!
Not my favorite childhood memories. But they made a good poem.
True story about the peonies. Last year a kind neighbor gave some to Bella and me when we were loudly admiring them. But they had ant hitchhikers that came with them onto the dining room table.
Oof, I didn't know fire ants coordinated their attacks. That's intense.
Right? One thing I didn’t really make clear is that while they do bite with their mandibles, it’s only to anchor themselves while they sting. The sting is actually in their abdomen and each ant stings multiple times, injecting venom in a circular pattern.
I'm gaining so much new insect information this FPA. It's fantastic! :) And a bit scary. 😂
YIKES to those fire ants. Shudder.