Bugs-N-Buds

A Lucky Find

2011-12-08T16:55:00.003-05:00

I found an old leather box containing century old family photos last month. It was in a box headed to the dump that was forgotten. Everything was in poor condition stinking of mold and mildew. A little cleaning brought the box back to life. I snapped some pics and used them to create really cool items for my store.
Here are a few ~ click on any to see more details.

Leather Box ~ Gel Mousepad by Andy2302

Leather Box w/name~ iPhone 4 CaseMate Tough by Andy2302

Leather Box ~ Laptop Sleeve by Andy2302
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There are binders, skins for iPad, iPod and iPhone 3 & 4, BlackBerry and more. Interested? See dozens of Leather Box products.

SPAMMERS

2011-08-09T16:21:00.002-05:00

This is becoming a chore. Logging in to delete spam. 14 spam posts today alone.
I admit I rarely visit this old blog but it's a shame those people are so bored with life they waste their time and mine spamming. These stupid people should find something productive to do.

Christian Tote Bags

2011-06-19T15:43:00.002-05:00

I stopped at a large cemetery in Boston a few weeks ago to snap pics of all the flags on veterans graves. It was inspiring to see. Then I noticed some impressive statues. It was mid day with a very bright sun, not the best time for photographs. One Bas Relief of Jesus kneeling in prayer was highlighted by that hard sun. I knew what I had to do as soon as I saw it. It took some photo editing but this is the result.

Jesus Relief ~ bag by Andy2302

Then I spotted a relief of Archangel Michael and Lucifer.

Michael and Lucifer ~ bag by Andy2302

More Backgrounds

2011-05-08T15:06:00.002-05:00

A handful of backgrounds has kept me busy for weeks updating older products and creating new ones. We can do mouse pads today although I feel they have a declining market.
One of my earliest abstract designs gets a boost with the copper colored background.

Abstract 3 ~ mousepad by Andy2302

A great big strawberry fresh from the garden sparkles with a candy apple background.

Strawberry ~ mousepad by Andy2302

A sweet bell pepper flower looks vibrant over spring green waves.

Bell Pepper flower ~ mousepad by Andy2302

Backgrounds

2011-05-01T21:07:00.002-05:00

Somehow I got started on backgrounds. A new bg can transform an old image. Here are a couple oldies updated on mugs.
x
Classy Classic ~ mug by Andy2302

Lady Butterfly ~ mug by Andy2302
And

Fruit Blossom ~ mug by Andy2302

Keepsake Christmas Tree Ornaments

2010-11-15T19:37:00.004-05:00

We have pretty ceramic ornaments with two customizable sides. The same design often works fine for both sides but Pariseau's Market has something special for you.
It started with this Praying Mantis. Two shots from the same shoot. The back side is freaky. This female has been in the plant nursery for months getting stronger and more confident.

Intent Mantis ~ ornaments by Andy2302

Then there is this Snowy Emerald moth on a glass door. The front is the top view shot from outside and the back is from inside at it's under side. Fascinating

Snowy Emerald moth ~ ornament by Andy2302

A pretty Mourning Cloak butterfly seen from above and beside.

Mourning Cloak butterfly ~ ornaments by Andy2302

Daily Pics and Zazzle

2010-09-16T15:33:00.003-05:00

Daily Pics members with a Zazzle store get one FREE listing posted on every page.
All it takes is to be an active Daily Pics member in good standing, your Zazzle store should also be active and you have to request the posting (it's not automatic).
Photographers should fit right into DPs social photo sharing community.

The Year of the Butterfly

2010-09-14T13:15:00.004-05:00

Anyone with a camera who loves Nature appreciates pretty butterflies. I try to add new varieties to my gallery when ever possible. This has been a bonanza season. I've improved on species I already have and shot new ones I didn't know existed around here, southern New England.
Let me show you a few on products offered at Pariseau's Market
My first ever Buckeye butterfly on a Mug.

Buckeye butterfly ~ mug by Andy2302

A Mourning Cloak butterfly framed on a Mouse pad.

Mourning Cloak butterfly ~ mousepad by Andy2302

Two shots of different Red Spotted Purple butterflies combined into one image on a Tote.

Mr & Mrs Butterfly ~ bag by Andy2302

An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on a calendar print / poster.

Yellow Butterfly calendar ~ print by Andy2302

There are many more cool bugs & buds that I'll try to post in the coming days.

WPA Murals

2010-04-04T18:22:00.004-05:00

Every city and town has hidden gems. This is about the Brockton, Massachusetts public library rotunda murals commissioned by the WPA (Works Progress Administration) in 1940-41. The theme is the history of books and printing from Egyptian hieroglyphics to modern (as of 1940) lithograph.
The works were carefully restored a few years ago as part of a library upgrade and expansion. I had the opportunity to photograph them for the library web site a while back. I recently added the images to Pariseau's Market on a wide variety of products from prints, mugs, magnets and even a neck tie.
Take a look.

Time for photo editing

2010-01-31T13:52:00.004-05:00

I get back to photo editing in winter. Here are some recent works available on products from mouse pads to mugs, shown here as prints.
Three pics in one.

Celestial Portal ~ print by Andy2302

One crab apple multiplied, reflected and placed on a new background.

Crabapple Chorus Line ~ print by Andy2302

The rare Jewel weed wildflower

Jewel Weed 2 ~ print by Andy2302

Pariseau's Market continues to grow with over 3300 carefully prepared items.

It's Calendar Time

2009-11-25T14:45:00.004-05:00

Calendars are great Holiday gifts and nobody has anything like these.
You may have never seen some of these Wildflowers.

Wildflowers 2010 by Andy2302

Garden Preadtors is scary. Well, not really, lol.

Garden Predators 2010 by Andy2302

There are nine other great calendars @ Pariseau's Market.

Testimonial

2009-11-17T18:55:00.005-05:00

Anyone looking for special greeting cards or albums as keepsakes should visit Viv's Card Creations
I saw these beauties up close and personal today. They are so nice! ! !

New Gift Store

2008-11-26T11:31:00.005-05:00

Pariseau's Market is a great place to find gifts for the hard to please on your list, including yourself.
T-Shirts, mugs, Greeting cards, Mouse Pads, real U.S. Postage stamps, hats, prints, key chanes, magnets, tote bags and more.
You can customize any product.
Please visit. Pariseau's Market

What's New.

2008-11-11T19:06:00.003-05:00

Nothing on Bugs N Buds but my Daily Pics has grown into a nice, friendly community of photographers.
Thank you.
Andy P

Great Golden Digger wasp

2007-12-01T11:44:00.001-05:00

A very large wasp seen at the Garden in the Woods Park in Framingham Massachusetts last September.

See this and many other bugs and buds on my DailyPics photo site.

Chionodoxa 'Glory in the Snow'

2007-04-10T14:41:00.000-05:00

Very early Spring bulbs.
I started with 25 marble size bulbs 15 years ago.
Now there are thousands all over the place.
To see more of these and even a "Life Cycle" series visit Andy P's Daily Pics .
We are growing with active members, a fabulous Slide Show of 100 pics and much more.
Join us there.
Andy P

My new site

2007-03-17T19:42:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to announce my new site, Andy P's Daily Pics. The link is on the right.
This new site will allow you to join in and add your own pics as well as comment. It's a full fledged site that you can participate in. Upload your pics, post in the Forums etc.
See you there.
Andy P

20 Year Old Amaryllis

2007-03-13T18:29:00.000-05:00

This is my oldest Amaryllis, it may be 25 years old, I forget.
An old 'Red Lion' variety I got at the super market for $5.
This year it has 2 flower stalks, each with 4 flowers. Usually the flower stalks come up one after the other, this year they are together.
People ask how I get it to live so long, I tell them Maximum Sun.
The second pic shows it where it grows, in a very sunny window, until it goes out for the Summer.

First signs of Spring

2007-03-10T15:28:00.000-05:00

These little beauties survived single digit temps this past week to greet me this morning.

Don't you just love Spring?

Snails

2007-02-24T16:49:00.000-05:00

Early Summer of 2006 was very wet here.
They were everywhere.

Flash Frozen

2007-02-17T16:26:00.000-05:00

While much of the country got snow on Wednesday, we got rain. Lots of rain after 2 inches of snow/sleet over frozen ground. Then the temperature dropped very fast. So fast that the runoff was frozen in place.
This is not flowing water, it is all ice.
I shot these the next day near sunset, it was 17 degrees at the time and very windy. The wind chill was below zero, too cold to worry much about camera settings.

First Amaryllis Flowers

2007-02-04T20:55:00.000-05:00

This is the first time this baby 'Apple Blossom' bulb has flowered.

It was a little sprout on the original bulb, 4 years ago. It bloomed exactly 4 weeks after being planted. They usually take 6 weeks or more. I have a big 20 year old red one slowly waking up.

Insect Collage

2007-01-29T19:31:00.000-05:00

I got the idea for this last night.

January Shots

2007-01-20T11:58:00.000-05:00

A couple recent shots. The last of the Milkweed seeds as they are captured by the wind.
A very early Vinca / Periwinkle.

Winter Color

2007-01-06T14:51:00.000-05:00

One of 5 Hibiscus flowers gracing my living room, yesterday.

Global Warming ???

2007-01-05T16:12:00.000-05:00

We should be knee deep in snow and Ice Fishing now. In stead we are breaking temperature records and getting a tan. The Swan didn't even bother to fly south. Shots taken yesterday at Ames Nowell State Park, 7 minutes from home.
Happy New Year.

Fun with PaintShop

2006-12-29T11:39:00.000-05:00

A couple of my early 'Circles'. A Yellow Swallowtail above and Pear blossoms below.

Merry Christmas Everyone

2006-12-21T15:28:00.000-05:00

Fun with PaintShop Pro, the gift I gave myself this year.

Star of Bethlehem (flower)

2006-12-18T18:47:00.000-05:00

The name of this flower is appropriate for this week.

I got some new software, can you tell? Stay tuned.

Sun Dog

2006-12-09T11:53:00.000-05:00

This is the one year anniversary for this image, taken from my back yard.
It's what is known as a "Sun Dog", when the sun and high clouds are at just the right angle to cause the ice crystals in the cloud to reflect so brightly. Here the real sun is on the right. There is often a second Sun Dog on the other side of the sun but the clouds were too thin for a good reflection.

Autumn Cherry Blossoms

2006-12-06T14:06:00.000-05:00

What a surprise to see Cherry blossoms at the end of November but here they are.
They are a variety that occasionally bloom in warm spells. Just a few here and there.

New Hibiscus

2006-11-28T16:14:00.000-05:00

This tropical Hibiscus was a gift a few months ago, this is the first flower.

Black Locust tree borer

2006-11-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

A colorful adult enjoying nectar and polen of a Sedum flower.

Autumn Mushroom

2006-11-19T11:38:00.000-05:00

Two images of the same mushroom taken a week apart.

I'm told that as they stretch and expose the 'fins' they are getting ready to release their spores.

This one is growing under an old Cedar tree.

PhotoShow # 13

2006-11-14T14:30:00.000-05:00

Lucky # 13 is ready. Wet Stuff, mostly plants and flowers with a couple bugs for this 4 minute show.

PhotoShow # 12

2006-11-11T07:57:00.000-05:00

The hard frost has put an end to my insect photography for the season so here are the rest of my bug pics in PhotoShow # 12, "Bugs 2006".
Please use the link (My PhotoShows) to the right again to see the show.
This little butterfly is an 'American Copper', about an inch wide. It was a real challenge to capture. There are about 4 dozen shots of some common and a few unusual insects from my yard. No scary spiders or snakes in this show that runs about 6 minutes.
Comments are welcome.

Predators

2006-11-06T14:50:00.000-05:00

I've just finished PhotoShow # 11, called Predators. Use the PhotoShow link at the right and click on this image to watch.

It's my best and longest so far. Over 40 images set to music. It runs for about 5 minutes. All shots are from this past season in and around my gardens. I hope you like it.

Sweetgum color

2006-11-04T07:27:00.000-05:00

Sweetgum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua) are the last to turn color but it is worth the wait. One tree can display almost every Autumn color imaginable at the same time.

"Wolf Spider"

2006-10-27T12:30:00.000-05:00

This one caught my eye as I walked by the patio chair. It was casually resting on the arm and was not bothered by the camera lens in it's face.

These are common around here but this one was larger than most.

Good Morning

2006-10-24T18:22:00.000-05:00

An early morning shot of a green bee coming out of a Malva flower.

These are the last real flowers in my garden. Every thing else has been killed by frost.

"Grape Hyacinth"

2006-10-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

My 'worms eye' view of this small Spring bulb.
Now is the time to plant these beauties for a nice show next May.

"Yellow Swallowtail" butterfly

2006-10-18T20:27:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I get lucky and find a cooperative butterfly. This one was an old tattered one enjoying the nectar and pollen on some Candy Lilies.

Balloon Flower

2006-10-15T12:45:00.000-05:00

A true blue early summer bloomer. This variety is the dwarf "Sentimental Blue", about 8 to 10 inches tall, heat and drought tolerant. A long lived perennial that's easy to start from seed.

Bug on my laptop

2006-10-13T17:01:00.000-05:00

When the weather is pleasant I like to sit on the patio with the laptop.
One day I had a surprise visitor. A small Robber fly.
It's a nasty looking thing but a beneficial predator that eats lots of 'bad' bugs.

Hibiscus "Disco Bell"

2006-10-11T17:50:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite perennials that I started from seed.
This was taken in the morning through dappled light after a shower.

Shadow Darner 2

2006-10-09T19:19:00.000-05:00

I almost walked into this big beauty yesterday.
It patiently allowed me to snap a dozen shots before the wings started to vibrate. Two seconds later, it was gone.

Green Squash Bug

2006-10-08T19:12:00.000-05:00

A nasty little insect that's often called a Stink bug because if you squish it, it stinks. Even the Praying Mantis don't like them.

This may give you an idea of it's size.

That's Sidekick Sarah in the background. You'll meet her later.

Single Malva 'Zebrina'

2006-10-07T14:48:00.000-05:00

This colorful gem is about an inch and a half wide, sprouting from the main stem and not always easy to see behind the leaves. The plant is a half-hardy Hollyhock that reseeds itself a bit too well. Plant it once and you will have it for ever.
I enjoy it for the late season color, it can take temps down to 27 degrees F.

Volunteer Petunia

2006-10-06T13:24:00.000-05:00

I never know what will come up through the cracks in the driveway. This season, among other things, this little petunia sprouted and bloomed. Today I've added another link, 'Nature Journal'. There are some interesting pics there, as well as links to even more bug, flower and wildlife images. Worth a look.

I hope my blog keeps you interested and you will visit often. Comments are now open to everyone, if you are not a blogger please sign your comments. Each and every one is appreciated.

Keep a positive attitude, it will brighten your day.
Andy P

New Beta Format

2006-10-05T13:42:00.000-05:00

I have 'upgraded' to Beta, I hope this works.
I've inserted a small image at the top, here it is full size.
The dragonfly was on the clothes line which afforded me a unique angle, I could look up at it.

Dahlias

2006-10-04T13:57:00.000-05:00

I love my Dahlias this time of year. When most other flowers have passed, these beauties keep going right up until frost.
Many gardeners think they are too much trouble because they have to be dug up in the Fall. I always have a few dozen planted around the house. The digging, and storing process takes about an hour on a nice Autumn day. For that I get about 4 months of blooms the next season for free. I like free.
Some gardeners buy them in 6 packs in Spring and use them as annuals. That's OK but they don't reach their full potential until the second season.
They are very easy, relatively pest free and Butterflies love them.

Leaf-footed Bugs

2006-10-03T13:55:00.000-05:00

That's what they are called.
The first two are nymphs, note the immature wings.
The last is an adult of a different species.

Another Daffodil

2006-10-02T14:30:00.000-05:00

What happened to yesterdays pics? They don't show at full size when I click on them.

I don't have time to re-do the entire blog so I'll add another Daffodil today. Hope this one works.

It's Spring Bulb Planting Time

2006-10-01T10:27:00.000-05:00

Everyone anticipates the early colors of Spring bulbs. Now is the time to plant them. They are easy and rewarding. Get digging.
Some extra early Honey Cream Crocus. Small flowers often come up through the snow.

My favorite blue Spring flowers, Chionodoxa, Glory in the Snow. They spread nicely in a few years.

I'll post an interesting 'Life Cycle' series on these later.

Daffodils make a big splash, they also multiply well. The easiest large flowered Spring bulb.Then come the Tulips and Grape Hyacinths.

I hope these few images inspire you to plant some Spring bulbs. They are well worth the small effort.

Wet Plants

2006-09-30T09:54:00.000-05:00

Misty mornings offer an opportunity for interesting shots.

The first is a Gladiola leaf.
Second is a Hens & Chicks.
Last is a Sedum leaf.

Mating Mantis

2006-09-29T11:52:00.000-05:00

Shortly after posting yesterday I found these two getting acquainted. Little did I know that that Monarch butterfly was her pre-coital meal.
This sequence took place over 3 hours, on and in a large Butterfly bush. Not an easy location to photograph.

Mantis V Monarch

2006-09-28T10:18:00.000-05:00

This female Mantis has claimed a Butterfly Bush as her own.
This is at least the second Monarch she has captured. I found telltale wings a few days ago, yesterday I caught her in the act.
I wish she would eat nasty grasshoppers rather than these lovelies.
On a previous posting, I showed another Mantis on the pink Sedum flowers. There were a few Bee carcasses there.
They will eat almost anything.
This second pic shows how big she is getting, about 4 ½ inches long now.
Mating season is near.

Today I added a link to the best Photography web site I know. PhotographyCorner. My images pale in comparison to most published there but I learned so much from the members that I feel compelled to spread the word. If you want to learn more about photography than you ever thought you could, visit, register and participate.

Todays Monarchs

2006-09-26T15:50:00.000-05:00

It's a sunny Autumn day, warm and breezy. The Monarchs are fluttering around in a feeding frenzy, bulking up for the long flight south.

Monarchs feed with their wings closed. I had all but given up on getting an open wing shot, today I lucked out.

They are pretty with the wings closed but I wanted them both ways.
I'm greedy that way.

PhotoShows

2006-09-25T20:18:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to say that I figured out how to create a link.
You may now see my PhotoShows.

Little 3 to 5 minute shows with music and motion. See the link on the right.

Do you like Praying Mantis? There are 7 in the yard this season, lots of pics.

Gladiolas

2006-09-25T13:03:00.000-05:00

Time to show some flowers, although I suspect the bugs will get more interest

When the light is right, the colors glow.

This was the very last one at the tip of the stalk.

This stalk was heavy and tilted almost horizontal.

Tell me which you would prefer, bugs or buds. I have plenty of each.
See you tomorrow.

Shadow Darner

2006-09-24T20:20:00.000-05:00

This is a large Dragonfly.

I love bugs, especially now that I can take close-up shots and really see them.

Pretty thing, isn't it.

They eat tons of mosquitoes.

My First

2006-09-24T18:33:00.000-05:00

Hi All, I'm new here.
This is my first venture into blogging.
I have been shooting pics with a digital camera for all of 15 months, close-ups and macros interest me the most.
Insects are fast becoming my favorite subjects with flowers a close second.

When I saw this bumble bee on the Sedum flowers I knew I had to get the camera.
It's my favorite pic of the month.

Lets see how this works before I post more.

Any and all comments are welcome.

Thanks for looking

Here's the other end.