🌦🍂 Last day of September: This paper wasp (Polistes dominula) is dying. In September, all of them die, except for the young queens. It is cold and rainy, and it no longer has the strength to fly.

Wasps evoke different reactions in people. The paper wasp is very peaceful and rarely stings, even if you approach its nest. You can recognize it by its orange wings and legs.

I personally don’t perceive other wasps as aggressive either, as long as one respects their natural behavior and boundaries. I forgive and accept that they are not always capable of such foresight themselves.

However, many people react aggressively or fearfully at the sight of a wasp. These strong emotions limit compassion and make it easier to cause these animals harm.

But even if we try to cultivate compassion, true intentions and contexts can easily be misunderstood.

This wasp is visibly moving toward me. It does not want to attack me. Nor is it seeking contact with me as a person. It simply wants my body heat because, in its own perception, it is freezing and still fighting for survival in its final hour.

Yet I leave it to nature, because I understand that its desire, without its knowledge, would only prolong its own suffering.

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.

Just walking around 🦋🌾☀️

🧩 Although we humans tend to divide the world into clear categories and fixed boundaries, our true strength lies in our diversity. Our species, rich in different traits and personalities, embodies the principle that makes life in all its forms successful: diversity. Each of us is unique, whether through our appearance, preferences, or emotions. We choose different words, react differently to joy or sorrow, and our relationships are as individual as we are.

☄️ Moreover, we are adaptable – what we like today may seem strange to us tomorrow. This continuous change reminds us that our attempts to organize the world into categories must always be open to expansion and adaptation. Instead of rigid boundaries, we need flexible frameworks that allow space for the unexpected.

🦖 However, understanding and appreciating diversity doesn’t mean we must accept everything indiscriminately. It's equally important to set clear boundaries and make decisions that align with our values and well-being. In dealing with others, we might approach each person with empathy and an open mind, but also with the wisdom to know when to stand firm and when to be flexible. True connection and growth come from balancing acceptance of others with respect for our own needs and principles.

That's how wrinkles form. And I think it's beautiful. ✨️ The special effect of my smile is that it is always a little crooked.😁 My upper teeth are super straight and close together, but my upper jaw is not straight like most people's.

That's because I had braces as a teenager, but not until the end of the procedure. My orthodontist told me that everyone would laugh at me because of it. But actually, I have only received positive reactions to my smile my entire life.🌞

🧒🔍 I think wrinkles are very beautiful - also on women. Some people only smile with their mouths because they want to avoid wrinkles. I think a smiling face that also includes the eyes looks more natural and friendly. It strengthens the facial muscles and contributes to a healthy and lively expression.

Wrinkles are a part of life and often tell a story of joy and lived moments. An authentic smile that reaches the eyes can increase well-being and promote positive interactions.

😊🍀 Instead of worrying about wrinkles, it might be better to focus on a happy and fulfilled life, which is reflected in a genuine and warm smile.

That's how wrinkles form. And I think it's beautiful. ✨️ The special effect of my smile is that it is always a little crooked.😁 My upper teeth are super straight and close together, but my upper jaw is not straight like most people's.

That's because I had braces as a teenager, but not until the end of the procedure. My orthodontist told me that everyone would laugh at me because of it. But actually, I have only received positive reactions to my smile my entire life.🌞

🧒🔍 I think wrinkles are very beautiful - also on women. Some people only smile with their mouths because they want to avoid wrinkles. I think a smiling face that also includes the eyes looks more natural and friendly. It strengthens the facial muscles and contributes to a healthy and lively expression.

Wrinkles are a part of life and often tell a story of joy and lived moments. An authentic smile that reaches the eyes can increase well-being and promote positive interactions.

😊🍀 Instead of worrying about wrinkles, it might be better to focus on a happy and fulfilled life, which is reflected in a genuine and warm smile.

🌸 A few pink poppies grow here every year. But it's rare that I spot one with all its petals. So beautiful and delicate! 😊

📸✨️ I avoid leaving the path for my photos. But if I do, I always check beforehand whether and how I can do it without trampling too much. My pictures are an expression of my love of nature and are therefore almost exclusively taken from the side of the path. Love is based on mutual respect and understanding, not possessiveness.

🐁🪰🚜🌾 The meadows and fields belong to both the farmers and nature. They serve as a basis for life for all of us. Leaving the path can have many negative consequences: dead, injured, displaced or disrupted animals; destruction of vegetation; soil compaction; copycats; financial damage to farmers and foresters; loss of biodiversity.

🪱 Please remember this and stay on the paths to preserve the beauty and health of our natural environment.

A picnic beetle! 🪲 They are called picnic beetles because they often fly at you outdoors. After the end of the Second World War, Glischrochilus quadrisignatus spread from Berlin to almost all of Europe. They originally come from North America, where they already played a role as a plant pest, and were then probably introduced to Germany via supplies from the Western Allied airlift. While in America the damage to corn, tomatoes and various types of fruit (apples, pears, apricots, peaches, raspberries) can be quite high, in Europe the species has so far only appeared as a corn pest to a much lesser extent. The beetle bites into the young, still milky grains and eats them. Well, then fly on, little conqueror!

The Peace Linden 🌳

When I look into the canopy of leaves, my experience is intensified by the interplay of light and shadow, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the vibrant hues that shift with the changing light. This sensory immersion creates a fuller, richer image in my mind than any photograph could ever capture. The movement within the thicket blurs the gaps a photo might capture, and the living space between the branches is filled with a sense of vitality due to the gas exchange and microclimates that contribute to the dynamic ecosystem.

The linden tree, with its deep cultural significance, ignites a cascade of thoughts and associations. This tree, revered as sacred and planted as a symbol of peace, is deeply woven into my cultural heritage. The sight of the linden tree evokes memories of ancient Germanic legends, intricately decorated old books, and the hero Siegfried. The unique shape of the linden leaf and the historical gatherings of Germanic tribes beneath its branches to make important decisions further enrich my perception.

This profound connection to the linden tree cannot be captured in a mere photograph. The image I seek must convey not just the visual beauty of the tree but also the powerful emotional and cultural resonance it holds for me. The photograph should aim to encapsulate the living essence of the tree, the depth of its historical significance, and the personal associations that make it so meaningful to me. Only then can it begin to approximate the powerful experience I describe.

Expressionist realism combines the accurate depiction of reality with subjective, emotional, and often intense expressions. When a photo is edited to capture not just the external appearance of the subject but also the deeper emotional and cultural meanings it holds for the viewer, it creates a connection between the real world and the inner world of the viewer, which is a central aim of expressionist realism.

Sometimes it just rains all summer long 🤷‍♂️