A part of the joy of traveling from Boulder is seeing new things. Here, the orchids were so amazing that I’m devoting two blogs to them. Blogging is a visual medium and these certainly fit that requirement. We know that there are a huge number of different orchids. WHY? Each type of orchid has evolved unique mechanisms and characteristics to attract specific pollinators, including various insects. I refer to butterflies and moths. The orchid family, Orchidaceae, is highly diverse, with over 25,000 species, and they exhibit an incredible range of forms, colors, and scents to attract their... Read More

Atlas Moth                                  photo Lenny Lensworth Frieling Actually the frenulum is a difference between moths and butterflies, since moths have them and butterflies do not. But that feature, which joins the forewings and the hind wings is not the most distinctive difference. It is however a GREAT word.  Some of the most spectacular “butterflies” are in fact NOT butterflies! Even in Boulder, a “butterfly” might well be a moth. So what’s the difference? Since today has turned into butterfly/moth Sunday, let’s... Read More