Thousands of Bats at Dusk- University of Florida

My hosts drove us to the University of Florida Bat Houses to wait for the bats to fly out at dusk.  WOW!  They were something to see. Hard to focus as it was getting dark and they were flitting and flying.

And then as we stood there, a strong aroma filled the air. P- ewwww!

We watched the murmuration of bats in the sky.  Thousands and thousands of bats.  Creating dark clouds of undulating patterns.  Off to eat insects until dawn.

img_0187People waiting to see the bats emerge at dusk.

img_0243The Bat Houses at the University of Florida

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img_0238Bats from the Bathouses at the University of Florida.

Joanne filmed the bats on my phone

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A nice lady took our photo in front of the Bat Houses.

We talked about expressions with BAT(not baseball) in them

Like a Bat out of Hell

Blind as a Bat

Gone Batty

Batsh*t Crazy

Don’t Bat an Eye

Bats in the Belfry

 from the Free Dictionary- “have bats in the belfry  (old-fashioned)

to be crazy Don’t tell anyone else I said that or they’ll think I’ve got bats in the belfry.”
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Ohio Katydid and the Kids Via My Son Mark

A fun series to receive on the phone from my son Mark.

Looks like a depth of field exercise, too.

This is a “leaf bug” or katydid.  A relative of the grasshopper and also called a bush-cricket in some parts of the world.   Looks like such an interesting creature and is the perfection of camouflage.

Thanks Mark for sharing your Katydid and Kids study.  love you. Mom

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Can you see him/her?

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Can you see him/her? Probably snacking on the foliage.

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Stink Bug at the Gas Station Trying to Hitch a Ride

I was filling up the tank and a stink bug started crawling up the car window.  Caught his climb with the iPhone and the reflection of the parked car and building make for an interesting perspective. At least to me.  He is definitely a bit soft on the focus but I still liked the composition. Plus he looks about the size of the other car! BIG!