Her pattern a symbol,
of the morals of her kin.
Her web a floral design,
from countless threads spun thin,
on which she bears her cross,
to carry it to my grave.

R.I.P. stink bug 🩶

And to the cross spider, enjoy your meal! 😋

The female garden spider (Araneus diadematus) soon lays her eggs and therefore needs a lot of energy. 🍂🍁 She then dies and the eggs overwinter in the cocoon. ☃️❄️

In my poem, the cross spider is depicted both literally and symbolically as the bearer of the morals of her kin. The distinctive cross on her back represents not only a natural characteristic but also the burden of the moral values and traditions she embodies. Her web symbolizes the complex network of ethical principles woven within the community, highlighting how the individual is intertwined with these structures.

The image of the spider carrying her cross to the grave of the lyrical self refers to the inevitable connection between life and death, while also conveying the responsibility and consequences of the moral choices of her kin. The cross spider thus becomes a symbol of the dynamics of tradition, responsibility, and the ultimate transience of life.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Chilean rose tarantula,
Grammostola rosea

Adult tarantulas molt every one to two years.
The last molt was two years ago.

1. Pumping
2. Molting
3. Hardening

The place is secured with spider webs. The spider lies on its back and pumps a molting hormone through its body. The upper shield bursts open and it frees itself from the old exoskeleton. After that, the spider is exhausted and not yet fully hardened.

Pumping:
The tarantula pumps a molting hormone (ecdysterone) from its rear end to its front end. This process takes several hours. I found it in this position at 3 p.m. At just after 8 p.m. it burst out of its upper shield. Since it is lying on its back, the upper shield is down. The video is at 200x speed.

Molting:
After the tarantula has burst out of the upper shield, it moves out of the exoskeleton with rhythmic movements, carefully pulling out its legs. This lasted two hours from about 8 to 10 p.m. The process seems well thought out as its old shell falls off perfectly. The video is at 100x speed.

Hardening:
The tarantula lies on its back, peaceful as a baby. It is still very soft and therefore very sensitive. It stretches its limbs by increasing body pressure, actively moving the limbs and then hardening the new exoskeleton. The spider web is nice and soft and not only protects against injuries, but also against intruders such as hungry insects or harmful microorganisms.

After half an hour the tarantula has gotten up again, but is not yet completely hardened. It remains in this safe place for the next few days and recovers.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

The Peace Linden in Bommersheim 🌳🕊

My name also has a connection to peace, because Frederic is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful ruler" or "peaceful king." It's derived from the elements "frid," meaning "peace," and "ric," meaning "ruler" or "king." 🫅🕊

My surname "Hilpert" is of German origin as well. It is derived from the Middle High German personal name "Hildebert," which combines the elements "hild," meaning "battle," and "berht," meaning "bright" or "famous." So, "Hilpert" likely originated as a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Hildebert." However, there are other possible explanations for the origin of my surname.

🌳👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

Sacred Tree: In Germanic mythology, the linden tree was considered sacred and was often associated with Freya, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. It was believed to possess protective and healing properties.

Community and Justice: The linden tree often stood in the center of villages and towns in Germanic regions, serving as a meeting place for gatherings, judicial proceedings, and social events. The idea was that the linden tree symbolized community, peace, and fairness.

Protection and Love: It was also thought to offer protection against evil spirits and to bring good luck. In folklore, linden trees were associated with love and fidelity, with many stories and songs linking the tree to romantic themes.

Healing Properties: The linden tree was renowned for its medicinal properties. Its flowers, leaves, and wood were used in various remedies to treat ailments such as colds, headaches, and anxiety, emphasizing its role in nurturing and healing.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

👻 A mysterious dusk atmosphere two weeks ago in Niddapark in Frankfurt am Main.

💧The ability of the fog drops to float is based on their small diameter, low mass and high air resistance in relation to the force of gravity. Together with the movement of the air, this ensures that the drops remain in the air and form fog. There are about 100 to 500 million drops per cubic meter of fog. These drops scatter the light in all directions, which is why it appears bright and is difficult to see through.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

👻 A mysterious dusk atmosphere two weeks ago in Niddapark in Frankfurt am Main.

💧The ability of the fog drops to float is based on their small diameter, low mass and high air resistance in relation to the force of gravity. Together with the movement of the air, this ensures that the drops remain in the air and form fog. There are about 100 to 500 million drops per cubic meter of fog. These drops scatter the light in all directions, which is why it appears bright and is difficult to see through.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

The European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) has a much calmer temperament than the common wasp. It has a wide range of hunting habits, including different insects and spiders. The European paper wasp is a social insect and absolutely worth learning more about its interesting behaviour. Originally native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has now spread to all continents, replacing native species there.

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So tiny and beautiful! 🌸🥺
And pretty awesome! 😎🌸

The herb-Robert (Geranium robertianum) can align its leaves perfectly with the light and can even survive in cave entrances. When the sun is very strong, its own sun protection turns its leaves red. This little flower is very well adapted to rocky ground and finds the city the perfect habitat.

Both sexes are often found on one plant, which means it can pollinate itself. It has deeply hidden nectar for insects, as it is happy about any opportunity for fertilization.🌸🐝

The fruit can shoot its seeds up to six meters away, or cling to fur and clothing like a burr.

It is considered a lucky charm and was used as a medicinal plant from early on. So it is not only a beautiful sight, but also an impressive species with outstanding properties.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

In a big garden, there was a tulip, looking beautiful and proud. She stood tall among the other flowers.

But one day, she saw the clouds floating in the sky and wished she could be there too.

So, she tried to reach the sky, growing taller every day. Finally, she reached the clouds, but the wind blew her back down.

Feeling sad and tired, the tulip realized she belonged on the ground. She learned to appreciate her beauty and enjoy life on earth, while still admiring the sky from below.

✨️🌷✨️

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🌸🌸🦥 The happy Easter sloth doesn't hide eggs but sniffs flowers and lazes around all day 🤗🌸🌸

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🌸🌸😄🌸🌸

I leave you some cherry plum blossoms and take a little break 🤗

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