the fellow who took these photos and so many other fantastic ones is a friend here on Opera and you really should check out his great work! He has posted a gazillion beautiful images for us to enjoy.



http://my.opera.com/garytmarsh/blog/

ever get the feeling, like you've just been squashed by the entire world? Lately, I don't know if I'm coming or going with the gas prices being so high my whole world has been kinda turned upside down I may've found a solution to the gas situation if we don't run out of dog food the trick is to be resourceful when you're a 'lil short

there are dangers to being upwardly mobil

but we must put all our demons to bed

and realize that sometimes life's load is a bit much

and sheer optimism alone isn't enough to prevail

often the problem is how we perceive things

maybe it's best to just laugh at life's little inequities..count our blessings

and keep on dancin'

'cuz there will always be more crap coming along

but if we face our fears

and maintain an attitude of gratitude

we can continue to face the music

YIKES!!!!

Lymantrid moth (Dasychira pudibunda)

The Lymantrid moth (Calliteara pudibunda) is widespread in Danish beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests. The species has one generation in Denmark, with the dull grey moth flying during June. Each female can lay 300-400 eggs which she normally does very near the place where she emerged from the pupae. The small caterpillar is very hairy and can easily be transported by the wind. In late autumn the caterpillar is fully grown, is about 5 cm long and is very beautifully coloured. Pupation takes place among leaves on the ground where a silken cocoon is made. (Photo by: Malgorzata Tomkowicz)

Devil's Flower Mantis (Idolomantis Diabolica)

The Idolomantis Diabolica is sometimes known as the "King of all mantids" for the obvious reason: it's beauty, size and rarity, is one of the largest species of praying mantis that mimic flowers. (Photo by: Scott Thompson)

Damselfly (Ischnura heterosticta)

Damselfly is the common name for any of the predaceous insects comprising the suborder Zygoptera of the order Odonata, characterized by an elongated body, large multifaceted eyes that are widely separated, and two pairs of strong transparent wings, which at rest typically are held folded together above the abdomen or held slightly open above the abdomen. They commonly fly in tandem during mating. For humans, they are a popular subject of art and culture in various nations, and their grace, often striking colors, and unique mating behaviors add to the beauty of nature. (Photo by: Opo Terser)

Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)

Also known as the "Robin Moth", Cecropia moths are the largest moth found in North America, often achieving a wingspan of six inches. They range across the entire eastern two-thirds of the continent to the Rocky Mountain range. They are a member of the Saturniidae family, or giant silk moths. Females with a wingspan of 130 mm or more have been documented. The larvae of these moths are most commonly found on Maple trees, but they have been known to feed on Wild Cherry and Birch trees among many others. (Photo by: Jay Cossey)

Calleta Silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta)

The Calleta Silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta) is a moth of the Saturniidae family. Found in Mexico, Guatemala and the southernmost part of the United States, it’s the only species in the Eupackardia genus. The larvae mainly feed on Fraxinus species, Leucophyllum frutescens, Sapium biloculare and Fouquieria splendens. (Photo by: Igor Siwanowicz)

Orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatu)

The Hymenopus coronatu, aka Orchid mantis, is a variety of flower mantis usually found in Malaysia and Indonesia. Doesn’t the mantis pictured look just like an orchid? They hide in the flowers they resemble, waiting for other delicious insects to alight. (Photo by: Paul F. Wagner)

Hercules Beetle (Dynastes Hercules)

A species of rhinoceros beetle that lives in South America, the Hercoles Beetle can grow to over 6 inches in length (counting its horns), but its claim to fame is its strength: it can support 850 times its own weight on its shell! This beetles eats only vegetation and is not aggressive, except to other Hercules beetles, when males fight each other over females. (Photo by: Tomas Libich)

Giant Camel Spider (Arachnid Solifugae)

Perhaps we would never --or rarely-- have heard of such a creature if it was not because of the tales and photos the United States Servicemen in the Persian Gulf War and afterwards the Iraq War carried back home. It was said that a giant camel spider crawled into the sleeping bag of a soldier, biting the man while he was asleep. Fortunately, the giant desert camel spiders native to Iraq aren't venomous. It uses its claws to catch its prey, which is never bigger than the arachnid itself. They are also known for being fast. Giant Camel Spiders have been known to run around 10 MPH. This creature real name is Arachnid Solifugae. "Solifugae" means, in Latin, "flee from the sun". (Photo by: dwl)

Giant Water Bug (Belostomatidae)

Belostomatidae is a family of insects better known as "giant water bugs" or "toe-biters." Most species in the Belostomatidae family are relatively large and nearly reaching the dimensions) of some of the larger beetles in the world. All of them are fierce predators which stalk, capture and feed on aquatic crustaceans, fish and amphibians. They often lie motionless at the bottom of a body of water, attached to various objects, where they wait for prey to come near. They then strike, injecting a powerful digestive saliva and suck out the liquefied remains. Yum! Their bite is considered one of the most painful that can be inflicted by any insect. The saliva liquefies muscle tissue. In rare instances, their bite can do permanent damage to humans. So don't get drunk and pass out with your face near one of these guys. Occasionally when encountered by a larger predator, such as a human, they have been known to "play dead" and emit a fluid from their anus to make them look less appetizing.

Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia)

The Giant Leopard Moth or Eyed Tiger Moth (Hypercompe scribonia) has a distinct pattern of black rings, reminiscent to those found in its namesake the leopard. The moth’s unmistakable colorings is aposematic, meaning that they are actually "advertising" the bug’s unpalatability to potential predators. (Photo by: Normanack)

Thousands of Mini enthusiasts took to the roads today to celebrate Mini's 50th anniversary.

More than 2,500 brightly coloured Minis made the pilgrimage to the coast in the London to Brighton run.

The annual run is now in its 46th year but this year was extra special for the organisers and participants who were celebrating 50 years since the first Mini rolled off the factory production line.

Owners proudly showed off their cars and, in what seemed like a history lesson of the classic car, made famous by 1969 film, The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine, all models from classics to variants to the new BMW Minis, were on display.

Mini view: Thousands of Minis took to the road to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Mini at the annual London to Brighton run

The troop of Minis that came in a spectrum of colours with many roofs displaying the Union Jack set off from Crystal Palace Park, London, in some classically British drizzle at 8.30am this morning.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary the first 51 Minis to leave London were representatives from each year of production from 1959 - 2009. They left the park in production year order.

Mini crocodile: A line of Minis make their way through Crystal Palace Park

The annual run is one of the largest single-manufacturer car shows in the world

There was also a world-record attempt for the longest parade of Minis through Crystal Palace Park.

The annual run, organised by the London and Surrey Mini Owners Club, is one of the largest single-manufacturer car shows in the world and attracts around 2,500 Minis for the journey to Brighton's sea front.

Happy birthday: A participant in the annual pilgrimage zooms past in his classic Mini

Colourful: Around 2,500 mini drivers turned up to take part

On arrival the long line of cars took pride of place on Brighton's seafront where the festivities continued with demonstrations and the chance to show off the much-loved vehicles.

As Michael Caine's character, Charlie Crocker, would no doubt say - what a great idea