The Amateur Naturalist
Figure 1. Angel of Death Larva Cleaning Its Siphon. An Angel of Death larva hangs suspended beneath an air bubble, its hairy abdomen bent, as its mandibles clean its tubular siphon, an act which may aid the ax-like structure in penetrating the surface film between water and air when the larva jerks its body back and forth, the clean-as-a-whistle siphon easily slicing through the molecular barrier of water molecules so that the larvae may breath. Support the Angel of Life Foundation and help save millions of live! Photo Copyright 2005 by EArts.
Exploring the beauty and wonder of the natural universe
Presented by Terry Lynch
Artist, Poet, Philosopher and Naturalist
Dear Nature Lovers,
This site presents the beauty and wonder of the natural universe
for everyone who loves nature to enjoy. My purpose is to stimulate young people and hobbyist to
question, inquire and explore the natural world. I hope to inspire
creativity, not only in the scientific study of nature, but in the
artistic and humanistic expression which comes through an intimate
experience of life and our natural universe.
It is very easy to get bogged down or stuck in some academic or
laboratory study which separates one from the true experience of life
and nature. This is not to negate the value of careful and controlled
experiments, but only to accent that other aspect of learning which
comes from field work, from observing the complexity of nature, its
grandeur and diversity as one experiences it when in far away from
city lights and the hectic rush and chaos of life in the city, which
can be not only a distraction to learning, but detrimental to the
environment and nature one is investigating.
Throughout my life I've had the opportunity to
travel widely, exploring the natural world with my camera and sketch
book. Every journey results in more questions than answers. There is,
in fact, no limit to the number of questions one might ask about the
most minute of things, such as a firefly larvae or fly maggot. Yet
the mountains and the forest in their grandeur and majesty pose, as
does the universe itself, a host of questions of their own: such as
how many millennium are in a compressed layer of Navaho sandstone
cliffs near Arches National Park which might take a good Moab rock
climber all morning to conquer?
Since I can not answer all the questions myself, I'm going to
share some of my thoughts and experiences with others, hoping to
inspire, if not delight, young and open minds to make their own
adventures and discoveries. I do not venture to say where this
exploration will lead or end, for it really has no beginning or end.
I can only say that if you travel along with me we will have some
exciting adventures and perhaps learn something of significance and
value along the way.
I propose to present some experiments in natural science. Also I
may present examples of my own creative work or photographs which are
themselves an exploration of figures and forms in nature. This will
require some time to provide, so check back to this site often. In
fact, this presentation may take some years to complete, since the
volume of unpublished photographs and writing I have to draw from is
rather large and is still growing.
I will begin simply by providing a few links to favorite sites
I've created or discovered upon the Internet. Then in time I will be
adding more original material to this site. Included will be
photographs of nature's wonders and beauty which I hope will
inspire others to pick up a camera and take a closer look at our
natural universe. In every drop of water, under every rock and leaf, are wonders
to behold! It may be of great interest to teachers and
students who have inquiring minds and really want, "to go where
no man has gone before, to just look through a microscope and see
what is in a single drop of pond water."
Sincerely,
Terry Lynch
4 March, 1999
On Line Reports and Links
The Angel of Death This creature is Nature's ultimate weapon having killed more people than all the wars throughout history! It is irresponsible for the world community to accept over one million deaths each year due to mosquito transmitted disease and over 300 - 500 million people to be infected by malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever and other diseases transmitted by mosquito bites. You can help stop the slaughter and balance the equation by visiting and supporting the Angel of Life Foundation.
Figure 2. Death Angel's Eyes Aglow. A pulse of light illuminates the eye covered head of a male Angel of Death bringing forth visions of an unearthly alien spacecraft, like something right out of Star Wars or the X-Files, a deadly weapon protruding from its head capable of destroying species thousands of times its mass and reproducing itself ad infinitum, until that day when it might inherit the planet Earth. Photo Copyright 2005 by EArts.
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Light Dancer's Live Journal: An interactive exploration and discovery of the natural world.
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Bioluminescence
in Fireflies The luciferase-luciferin
reaction in Photinus pyralis by Terry Lynch.
- Blinks
and Links Explore the fascinating
world of the firefly and other living light!
- Firefly Mysteries
Revelations related to the egg, embryo, early instar and behavior of Photinus pyralis larvae with respect to gregarious feeding behavior, vivisection of host food via digestive enzymes, interring of earthworms and proof larvae use eyes and lanterns to form aggregates. This report includes photographs of P. pyralis and presents original research detailing rearing techniques and aspects of P. pyralis larvae behavior never before sited in the scientific literature. A challenge for investigators is offered with emphasis on the role firefly larvae may play in research into the genetic key codes which link and differentiate flash pattern to species.
- Flash Keys in Fireflies by Terry Lynch: Impressions and considerations with reference to the role of nitric oxide (NO) in firefly flash and the implication this has with respect to the timed delay between flashes of species and other related flash behavior. June 29, 2001, 16:40hrs.
- Firefly Notebooks: How to rear fireflies by Terry Lynch Techniques with respect to the collection, observation and rearing of the firefly P. pyralis and Photuris with notes upon the feeding behavior of Photinid and Photuris larvae and the implications these contrasting behaviors have on evolution of the species in fireflies. Presents photomicrographs, drawings, diagrams and methodology with respect to original research related to the rearing of fireflies.
- Feeding behavior of Photinid larvae Model used to illustrate probably sequence with respect to predation of P. pyralis on earthworms.
- Firefly Safe Zones: Strategies for Reintroduction, Preservation and Maintenance of Vigorous Firefly Populations
- Fireflies vs. Humans: More Alien than Alien: Which is the more alien species homo sapiens or P. pyralis?
- GEO: Bioluminescent Springtail of Christchurch, New Zealand Original photo micrographs of a little known species of bioluminescent Collembola, Anurida granaria (Nicolet, 1847) are presented to celebrate the beauty and splendor of this Springtail from down under. Site includes guest book, gallery, links and updates.
- The Urban Jungle: Alien Fungi and Other Wondrous Flora and Fauna of Backyard America
- The towering southern pine: a dynamic aerial econiche
- Photinus pyralis Gallery: Microphotographs of Embryonic Firefly and Early Instar Larvae
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Blue Jay Feathers On-line club for all bird lovers
- Light Dancer's LiveJournal Natural History Blog by Dr. Photinus
- The Infinite and Eternal Nature of the Universe as a Sinusoidal Flux in the Space-Time Continuum by Terry Lynch This theory pokes a hole in the Big Bang, God, time and mortality, suggesting that the universe is eternal in nature.
Figure 3. What is it? Click on pic for answer
On-line guides
Insects via Yahoo
Butterflies via Yahoo
Spiders via Yahoo
Wild Flowers via Yahoo
Trees via Yahoo
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast This is an excellent on-line guide to trees prepared by Lisa Samuelson, Mike Hogan, and Tom Stokes School of Forestry and Wildlife, Auburn University
Mushrooms via Yahoo
Birds via Yahoo
Mammals via Yahoo
Fish via Yahoo
Whales via Yahoo
Dolphins via Yahoo
Reptiles via Yahoo
Amphibians via Yahoo
Rocks and Minerals via Yahoo
Seashells via Yahoo
Fossils via Yahoo
Explore these popular sites
Over 1-million children die from mosquito borne disease every year!
Associated Sites
You are invited to visit these associated sites produced by Terry Lynch. Lynch has expertise as a naturalist, photographer, scientific and technical illustrator and web master.
Firefly FAQs | Firefly Mysteries | Flash Keys in Fireflies | Firefly Notebooks: How to rear fireflies by Terry Lynch | Feeding behavior of Photinid larvae | Firefly Safe Zones: Strategies for Reintroduction, Preservation and Maintenance of Vigorous Firefly Populations | Fireflies vs. Humans: More Alien than Alien: | The Urban Jungle: Alien fungi and other wondrous flora and fauna of backyard America | GEO: Bioluminescent Springtail of Christchurch, New Zealand | Photinus pyralis Gallery: Microphotographs of embryonic firefly and early instar larvae | The Firefly Gallery | Firefly Help & Links | Project Firefly | The Angel of Death | International Slug Fest | International Spider Fest | International Butterfly Fest | Butterfly Magic | Contact
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by Terry Lynch. All Rights Reserved.