Bob Tarte - Octodon @BobTarte@octodon.social

Please don't celebrate July 4 with fireworks. They scare pets and wild critters. They disturb children, people with PTSD, elderly people, and more. Celebrate, if you like, but do it without the bang and the boom.

@wohali Thank you for your kindness, Joan. My sister Joan was my mentor when it came to love of all animals.

My sister Joan died one year ago this month. We share an identical love for animals. Here's an amazing drawing she made in first grade of our parakeet, Kee-kee.

Finally feeling better this afternoon after waking up this morning with terrible anxiety, a migraine, and continuing grief over a special lost pet. Thanks to everyone on the Fediverse who showed me kindness today rather than adding to my pain.

Mother Tree Swallow peeps out of nestbox at Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Michigan USA

Stunning newly emerged Blue Corporal Dragonfly, West Michigan, USA

Two-Striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus). I had trouble finding the name of this one, because it's a youngster and the coloration is different than the adult.

@Mainebot I wish I could go back to my high school years and listen to shortwave radio all the time.

@Mainebot I hope things are going better for you.

@Mainebot Always nap.

@Skywise Flying teapot drawing sent to me by the late, great Daevid Allen of Gong in the 1970s.

@deafferret Some people are bothered by insect photos in general.

@julianaito I love dragonflies and should start looking for them again. The ones I posted today were from last year.

@boobs_idiot Somewhere I've got that Pet Sounds box. I need to find it and listen to "Hang Onto Your Ego." I don't remember it. To be honest, I don't remember "I Know There's an Answer," either. It must not have made a big impression on me. I do love Brian Wilson. Even on some of the earliest tracks, his genius is right out there.

@julianaito Thanks so much!

Close-up of Blue Corporal Dragonfly, West Michigan, USA