A Day with Aspen

Dragonflies

We took a canoe trip on the James River yesterday. The whole trip was lots of fun with some unexpected educational moments. We realized early on in our trip that it was mating season for dragonflies (namely the Damselfly species). I spent a good part of the day observing the amazing process. Here is my theory based on my up close and personal research. The male attaches his head to the end of the female's tail. Then he bends his tail underneath himself and uses this tiny thorn looking thing on the end of his own tail to scratch a spot on the female's underside. This results in a thorny thing poking out of the female's underside. The male's thorn connects to the female just below her thorn and the female's thorn connects to the male just above his thorn. Once connected they can fly around without separating. This picture shows the shape they make once connected. God is amazing! Now I know dragonflies don't fall in love, get married, and then mate, but I think it is so cool that they form a heart shape while mating!

Happy Birthday America!

We got a jump on the festivities last night! Since we are waking up very early in the morning for a canoe trip, we opted to watch the fireworks displayed last night rather than staying up late tonight for them. They were beautiful as always. We had a perfect spot for viewing them. These are some of my favorites captured on hmmm....not film, but...screen? Anyway, I took some pics! Enjoy-feel free to "oooo" and "ahhhh." We did! :)

Good Form

AJ has been in Golf Camp this Summer. I think this may be the sport for him. He loves it and has fun playing it. Being the one who takes him each week, I have become rather fond of the game myself. I have never had the least bit of interest in the sport, but I can see now it is because I never bothered to play before. I look forward to going with him each week. This is a great family activity that we can all do together without one or two of us just sitting and watching. I look forward to many years of golfing!