Orbweaving Spiders

Illustration from the Book: American Spiders and Their Spinningwork. A natural history of the orbweaving spiders of the United States, with special regard to their industry and habits. Published in 1889 by Henry C. McCook (1837-1911).

Silly me. I thought all spiders wove these spiral wheel-shaped webs. Leave them alone because  these beneficial spiders catch and eat many pest-type insects. They are nature's insecticides and their webs are beautiful.

Antiquarian Print: Rabbit circa 1809

Perfect 19th century Easter Bunny

Full size Natural History plate. Napoleon I, 1809-17, Description de l'Egypte: Histoires Naturelles Planches. Volume 1. Mammifères. Plate 6. Egyptian Mongoose and Lepus aegyptiacus from the rare book collection at Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, Missouri.

Amazing Artwork by Ellen Hooverkamp

I could spend the day looking at all of Ellen Hooverkamp's artwork. She arranges flowers and vegetables on a SCANNER and digitizes them for printing. Click here for more in this series called Edibles 1. "The subjects for these photos were sustainably grown and raised by local growers. Special thanks to the good folks at the Dudley Farm Market and to Trout Lily Farm, both in Guilford, CT."

Meet the artist and see other categories of her art and her book, pictured below, HERE. You're welcome. xo

This is the photo I found online somewhere that led me to Ellen.

Oak Leaves and Acorns

I have always loved bird nests, oak leaves, acorns, and books about natural history. This photo captures everything. via

Fish with Designer Outfit

No designer could ever make a gown this beautiful though many have tried! via By Thai photographer Visarute Angkatavanich.

Natural History Illustration: European Hare

This is beyond fabulous. I absolutely love this natural history illustration of The European Hare. via 

Early Illustrated Antiquarian Books

Yes, please to every item in this photo. I love the large natural history engravings. via

Ancient Fossil

Too beautiful for words. via

The Blew Linnet - Mark Catesby

An antiquarian print from my flat files. I'm not sure if this is still in there or if I sold it and I'm too lazy to look. I just love the spelling of the word blue (blew), don't you? A hand-colored folio engraving from 'The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands' Published in London 1731-43
I digitally cropped the photo at the plate line so the huge margins wouldn't interfere with your being able to see the image of the bird and plant clearly. This is a very high quality hand-colored reproduction. my photo

A Balancing Act

I love this painting by ©Kevin Sloan and its title: 'The Tedium of Protocol'. View full-size image here -- you must then click on the thumbnail.

Life really is a balancing act, isn't it?

Beautiful Shells

Nature really is the best designer, isn't she. I love the graphic design and colors of this shell collection. I have never owned any like this but have always admired them in shops and photos. Have a great weekend. via

Distracted from Doing Housework

I can so relate to this painting. I am distracted by anything and everything any time I start to organize or clean - especially by my books. 

Artist: Édouard John Mentha (also Menta) 
1858 Genève 1915 

Library interior with maid reading.

I would be hopeless in this room too! via

State Shells | Florida

Florida's State Shell, the Horse Conch (Triplofusus giganteus (Kiener, 1840)), is by far the most imposing of all the state shells, and may attain a length of 24 inches. The species, a voracious carnivore, is common on both coasts of Florida from the shoreline down to a depth of about 100 feet. Although the shell is found throughout the southeast United States, in Texas, and northeast Mexico, it is much more common in Florida waters. Does your state have a shell? Check here.

Beautiful Shells

Beach weather is quickly approaching. It was 80 degrees yesterday and was really hot sitting in sun so I sat in the shade. This is a beautiful beach composition, isn't it. You could really hear the ocean in that big conch shell I'm sure, even when far away from the shore. *_*

Extinct = Gone Forever

A Gallery of Species Lost and On the Brink with a 10-photo slideshow

You will see a few of the tens of thousands of species that scientists say have gone extinct or become critically endangered over the past 30 years. Please try to read the accompanying article by Richard Conniff in The New York Times entitled Specimens: Lost and Gone Forever. The discovery that species could become extinct shook the 19th century view of the world, and it should continue to trouble us today.

A "must read" for any lover of natural history.