phototaxis: chickadee

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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

pictures for oma

chickadees continue to be a favourite at the bird feeder, but..

we have also seen a purple finch...amazing

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photo·taxis

(fōt′ō tak′sis)

noun

the positive, or negative, response of a freely moving organism toward, or away from, light

How like us....to fly towards the Light of the World or to flee from it.

Reading to my little ones from A Child's First Library of Learning, Insect World, I thought how like the insects we are. Through the lens of time we seem so insignificant, flitting about with endless toil, and yet these creatures are commended in scripture. "Consider the ant you sluggard...."

from the childrens' book:

"Nocturnal insects are attracted to light, a response that is called phototaxis. Movement of the wings is influenced by the strength of the light. When the light reaches both eyes with equal intensity as from a distant source such as the moon, the insect can fly in a straight line with both wings moving the same way. But light coming from a closer source, such as a candle's flame, is perceived more strongly by one eye than the other. As a result of this, the wings on one side are stimulated to move faster, causing the insect to approach the light source in a spiral path and fly right into the light."

How like us...to not keep both eyes on our Light and to fly a spiral path instead of a straight path. How like us to be daily distracted by objects, ideals, pursuits that appear to be a more significant light source. Distractions that can prove to be lethal.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

pictures for oma

photo·taxis

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