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High Price To Pay!

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What I went through yesterday just to get some pictures! I was eaten alive by skeeters even though I had insect repellent on! I was shocked! These insects this year have been ferocious, vicious, and in such a huge quantity that I cannot even walk out my door in the evening without putting insect repellent on. These blood suckers are literally on attack mode!

For those of you who I gave my recipe to for Bitting Bugs Spray, word to the wise …. These insects here this year, due to an extremely wet and cool Spring with then Summer on a dime turning hot and humid, have created a tropical environment for these insects. They are not stopping with insect repellent. Sorry but I will not put DEET on my skin so right now I do not know what I am going to do.

But let me put that all aside and walk you through what my eyes saw yesterday. I’ll start with the first picture I took of Turkey Vultures. This image was taken through a smattering of leaves, hence the effect.

 

A beautiful Yellow Warbler’s song:

 

Three dragonflies:  (I made up the names)

Science Fiction ….
Blue Wonder ….
Greenie Blue Tail …

 

Two juves:

Catbird Juve
Robin Juve

 

And I close with Serious Business:

 

So, in your opinion, were these images worth getting all bit up by skeeters? I was in misery but I wouldn’t quit until I couldn’t take it any more. Did I play the role of the Fool or that of the Hero? … Asks the woman who is slathering on Calamine Lotion quite liberally ….

Photos not from Knox Farm. Those are coming ….

 

Photography/ “High Price To Pay”/ July 2019©AmyRose Photography
http://www.herladypinkrose.wordpress.com

91 thoughts on “High Price To Pay!”

    1. Thank you, Barbara! When I was pushed to the insane border, I quit. I really was so upset that my bug spray was not doing the job. I know it works so for these skeeters to be biting threw me a huge curve ball …. I flew home, believe me! Those bites were bad. Much Love to you! 💜💜💜

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  2. I loved Science Fiction, looked really like one from a SciFi. And the last one looked like he was told to walk the plank 😁😁😁. Great stuff!

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    1. I love Science Fiction too! Is he cool or what? And I laughed at what you said about my last picture. I adore your imagination. LOL Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Shaily. Both are so appreciated!! 🌟🌟🌟

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    1. Thank you so much. I’m willing to do a lot in order to get a great photograph but even I have my limits. I’m glad you enjoyed the fruits of my efforts. 🦋🦋🦋

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  5. Hmm, let me see how best to answer your question… Well, the question, from my point of view is, “was it worth Amy getting attacked by skeeters in order to bring us these brilliant images?” I’d have to go with yes, yes it was.

    Sorry, I oculdn’t resist having a little fun with you. I’ am truly sorry about the bugs. Mosquitoes don’t seem to like me very much, they tend to bother others more than they do me. That said, I wouldn’t wish being surrounded by them on anyone.

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    1. Enjoyed your humor, Dan. Thank you! I’m giggling as I write this. I do have some nerve, I must admit. I can however only take so much biting. Skeeters this year love me. They really didn’t bother me much before. Perhaps I should start putting garlic back in my smoothies …. that is my plan now. And THANK YOU on the brilliant comment regarding my images. I’m touched. You have a great weekend and stay cool. Never thought I’d say that this year. LOL 😉

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  6. The dragon fly photos and the the bird walking the plank😁were awesome. Very sorry you had to be bitten by mosquitos. I don’t know how you managed to take such beautiful pics with the mini vampires biting you. Respect!!!!

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    1. Your comment so did touch my Heart. Bless you! I was in misery with those skeeters biting, truth be told and the only reason I held out is because I was seeing some things I just had to capture. When I just couldn’t take it any more, I hightailed it out of that forest so I could get home to my Calamine Lotion. SO glad you stopped by to admire my pictures, thus bringing happiness to me knowing you enjoyed them. Have a great weekend! 🌟🌟🌟

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      1. You have a great weekend too Amy… Wildlife photographer’s job is a tough one… We don’t see the insects in the photos… But they’re there… But the result is worth it I guess… Lovely photos ♥♥

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  7. Amy, I would gladly be chewed up by monster mosquitos if I could be sure of getting photos as wonderful as yours. Knowing you, I’m sure you felt it was well worth the discomfort. We’re certainly all enjoying the pictures and admiring your efforts.

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    1. Careful, CM! You have no idea how miserable that experience was and how much those suckers hurt. Truthfully, though, what did keep me going was what I was seeing and my determination to capture greatness before I was chased by vampires from out of that forest. Thank you for enjoying the fruits of my efforts. Hope you have a great day! Rain today …. YAY!! We need it. Never thought I’d say that! LOL 🤗

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    1. Aw, thank you, Gigi. After a very hot shower last night today my bites do not bother me. Yesterday was a bit of a nightmare, however. I’m glad you enjoyed my pictures. Now that I don’t itch, they were worth getting. 🤗

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    1. I actually have a hat that has mosquito netting on it. The problem is my arms and legs, however. When it is hot I just cannot bring myself to wear long sleeves and pants. But that is just what I may have to do. The biting insects this year are the worst I have ever seen them! I will figure something out because I refuse to be stopped by insects. The weather has been bad enough as it is!

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      2. I have one essential oil in particular that I’m thinking of putting on my skin full strength if I can to deter the mosquitos. I’m thinking of how to combat this problem. Just thinking of wearing long anything in tropical temperatures makes me want to swoon. And that is just thinking about it. LOL

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    1. Hmmmmmm ….. So, my agony was worth it. I’d have to say I agree with you. There is always a reason why I am guided to go where I am directed. SO glad the Lord spoke to you again, Anthony, through me. Much Love to you! 🌟🌟🌟

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  11. I’m sorry for you, that you got attacked by those little monsters Amy. Your photos are amazing and much worth, I don’t know, if you feel, it was the pain worth.
    I have been searching for natural ways to avoid those insects. I found out, it was possible to use essential Eucalyptus and Lemon oil together. Mix with an organic oil as almond oil and add the essentials in drops, not too strong for your skin either.
    Much love to you ❤

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    1. Irene, thank you SO much for the ideas. My bug spray has essential oils in them specifically for those nasty biting bugs. It is mixed in vinegar and glycerine. Perhaps if I mix my EO’s with coconut oil or almond oil (YES!) that would work much better. I was shocked when those mosquitos broke through because I know my spray works. Maybe mixing those EO’s in oil would make it smell stronger? I’m going to try and I have YOU to thank for this. I’m getting almond oil right now! Thank YOU! FYI …. the 2 EO’s you mention are in my spray!

      Today those bites are not bad. I took a very hot shower last evening and for some reason, they are not bothering me today, thank heavens. I’ve been racking my brains trying to think of another way to use these EO’s and you, my friend, figured it out. Bless you!!! (((HUGS)))!!! 🌟🌟🌟

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      1. You are so very welcome Amy. I just hope, this will work for you. I can’t stand those bites, so I try to invent new ways all the time. Otherwise I need to use allergy medication too often.

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      2. I bought grape seed oil and almond oil, and plan on making up two batches with each oil. The recipe I used I found on the internet and probably apple cider vinegar was used so the solution will not be oily or greasy. I’ll take a little oily over not working good enough. We who are health conscious do our very best to go natural. Thanks, again, Irene, for all your help!! I SO appreciate it! XOXO

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      3. You are so right, we need to go natural to protect ourselves best possible.
        I use organic almond oil alone, because the skin sucks it up very fast. I bought a little spray bottle, where I mix with the EO’s and use directly at my skin. In same time I support my skin with humidity, so all cared for. Much love to you and yours ❤

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      4. I will keep you updated how my new batches work our, Irene. As we age, our skin tends to get drier so yes the added oils will be good for my skin. (smile) Love to you and yours! 💜

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  12. Amy, it’s been a magical and mysterious visit here today.
    Your posts cover so much natural beauty that I am in awe.
    First – I’m not wearing Deet…either! Yes, “They” would have us wear poison on our skin in the sun and heat. Then when it’s baked in & we get skin cancer, they will sell us cures that give us side effects that are more hideous than the original disease. Then they will sell us stuff for that and on and on.
    Hey, what’s a few mosquito bites for all the glory you captured and shared with us.
    Myself, I wear a very thin, loose cotton garments. Kind of like a garment mosquito netting.

    Your New Haven is a paradise, especially for a city dweller, like myself. My multitude of Pigeons send you many coooooos

    You Pink Garden is a gem, and I love the addition of the video. The pastel roses are …Le Gasp!!

    The hawk story IS a love story. Nature is crazy in love with nature. If a man kills animals for sport, I am outraged. When a hawk kills for food, I understand, I respect nature.

    Love and Roses rings true, and your shots are glorious. Consequences is lovely, and I send love to you, and all your cat babies.
    Thank you for this glorious time I have spent here!
    -Resa ❦❦🌹❦❦🌹 ❦❦🌹❦❦🌹 ❦❦🌹❦❦🌹 ❦❦🌹❦❦🌹 ❦❦🌹❦❦🌹

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    1. Oh, Resa, Honey! You put tears in my eyes. Thank you for this visit of yours and Bless you for this comment that meant so much to me. I actually have a mosquito netting hat and I will be wearing that. I also have “jungle type clothing” ….. loose and tightly woven cotton, both cargo pants and top, and those also from now on will be my mainstay clothing attire when I go into forests. I am shocked how these insects are acting this year. I refuse to wear deet and I’m also very very cautious as to what sun protection I wear IF any! I will not do chemicals and paleeze!! I refuse to allow anyone to come near me with chemotherapy whatsoever! Between your words that reminded me of the clothing I do have (proper when entering a jungle!) and another person who suggested almond oil as the carrier oil for my EO’s that I use in my homemade bug spray, I know I will beat those bugs now! I’ve been mixing my EO’s in vinegar and glycerine and evidently it is not smelling strong enough. So, off to the lab I go hi-ho to mix up another batch of my bug spray this time with almond oil.

      ALL your comments regarding ALL posts you visited I take to Heart. I LOVE what I do and like you, just want to create. Both of us need managers to get our work OUT THERE! LOL

      I’m with you regarding hunting or killing. I do mercy kill when the wild cats would leave me “gifts” that were not dead yet, but thank God that hasn’t happened in a while. That is SO hard to do! I cry!

      BIG (((HUGS))) and MUCH LOVE ….. now I will stop on over to your place to see what you have been up to lately!!! 😘😘😘

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    1. We photographers have a “screw missing” or so it would seem sometimes, YC. There is just something in us that urges us to get that photo no matter what! I do have my limits. Honest. LOL Hope your weekend is a good one!!! 🤗

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  15. Well they were worth it to us! 🙂

    My husband takes garlic pills and can sit in the wild mosquito habitat that is our home, unscathed. Where I am covered in welts within minutes. Maybe that will helpl

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    1. Just was talking to my sis and as I told her I’m going back to putting garlic in my smoothies. Although they don’t taste as good, when I was adding garlic, the biting bugs didn’t seem as bad. However, this year more then any other time I’ve witnessed, the biting bugs are bad. I tried garlic capsules but my stomach did not tolerate. Those welts you speak of …. yep I do know!! Thank you for passing on the garlic trick that I dread doing but now will again do!! (smile) 🤗

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  17. Awesome photos!! Well worth the skeeters – but so sorry you had to endure pure torture! Not fun. Here is RI too – so many skeeters, been so wet out and like you said muggy now – perfect recipe. I don’t like DEET either. Thanks for the photos though – wonderful, love the effect through the trees too – very cool!! Stay cool and unbitten! Much love, Donna

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    1. Thank YOU, Donna! These biting bugs are miserable this year! I’m in my “lab” experimenting with a new recipe for those biting bugs …. crossing all fingers this one works. My next post will actually show me with my tropical attire on …. and that is the way I will be dressed when going into a forest. These clothes are HOT, for they don’t breathe. Tightly woven cotton ….. whew! But it keeps those skeeters from biting, darn it! Between my clothes and the new recipe I’ll be set for the rest of the Summer (hopefully!). Again, I thank you so much for stopping by to see my labor of Love. Much Love to you as well, dear friend!! 🌟🌟🌟

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    1. Yes, LeeAnn, this is really a bad year for mosquitos on account of all the rainfall we’ve had. Thank you for stopping by to view my pictures. That means a lot to me. Bless you! 💜💜💜

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  19. Yep….Skeeters are bad right now. I look like I’ve been stuck with pins….bites all over but you can’t stay inside forever. Long sleeves and pants and lots of itching! Love the pix AR…Especially the yellow warbler singing! You can hear him…Glad you were able to get some pix and enjoy yourself….Happy Sunday to you….Hugs…VK ❤

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    1. Aw, VK, that sounds awful! I cannot go outdoors in the evening at all unless I am covered from head to toe and have insect repellent on. My next post will show a pic of me with my attire I am wearing from now on when I do go out on a photoshoot.

      SO glad you enjoyed my labor of Love pictures. I stood a long time just listening to the yellow warbler sing. OH he was just singing his little Heart out! Hope you had a good weekend! Have a great week, dear friend. Much Love to you! 🌟💜🌟

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  21. You certainly do suffer for your art at times🙂 The insects have indeed been horrific this years because of the rain. I avoid deet, too, and citronella just isn’t strong enough. I’ve even had to keep my walks short. But I’m still covered in bites. I’d certainly deal with the skeeters for images like yours🙂

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    1. Citronella … that is one of the ingredients in my bug spray so imagine my shock when those skeeters went right through it. Back to the lab I go to experiment with another recipe. I will NOT put toxic deet on my skin! Sorry to hear you’ve had to keep your walks short, Julie. What a shame that these insects are bothering us. I’ll keep up updated IF my new insect repellent works and I’ll pass it on to you if you like. There is just so much to see and experience and capture and so I refuse to be beaten by bugs! LOL Much Love to you!! 💖💖💖

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  23. Just don’t get Ross River Fever or Barmah Forest Fever (if you get those over there). I did from a mosquito bite and it isn’t very nice dear lady. 18 months of excruciating fatigue that hits at any time that is so debilitating that you have to drop wherever you are as it comes on or you will collapse. And the sickness is dreadful.
    Thankfully, due to my immune system being wobbly, it only hits mildly now. I just feel like one of those afternoon nanna naps 😀
    Nice shots as usual dear lady. And I find that if I wear clothes with a thickness of jeans etc it reduces the bites. But a bit hot for your summer. Get hot or get bitten, not a great variety of choice 😀

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    1. I’m not taking chances with mosquitos anymore, Mark. We have here what is called Nile Virus. From now on, I wear safari clothes, those that are tightly woven cotton, hot yes but they will deter the biting bugs. I’m working on getting my immune system stronger so I don’t need any setbacks! Sorry to hear you have suffered from the bite of bugs. Something that tiny can do a lot of damage. Take care, dear friend. 💖💖💖

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      2. Check! My post “Treasure Hunt” shows me in my tropical attire! That and I have my homemade (improved) bug remedy on my skin. Hair as well tightly pulled into a braid to keep bugs away! 😉

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      3. You look like you’re out on safari! 😃 Aren’t cargo pants great?? So many pockets!! 😃 I have a homemade insect spray too, made with essential oils, white hazel etc – my husband swears by it when the mozzies are out. Better than the chemical stuff!

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      4. I love cargo pants, Wendy! And I too have my bug spray with essential oils. This time instead of apple cider vinegar I am using almond oil. IF that doesn’t work I will try witch hazel. I KNOW my insect repellent works and that is why I was so shocked the skeeters broke through.

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      7. Strange! Keep working at it, and I’ll be interested in what works the best. I’m sensitive to chemicals, so having great natural products is very helpful 😃

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      8. Today I wore almond oil mixed with my 5 essential oils, double the amount of the original recipe called for. It worked. But! Today was not hot and humid either so the skeeters really were not ferocious. I’ve yet to pass that test …….

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    1. Those bites are fine now, dear friend. No worries. I’m glad I stuck it out in order to shoot what I did, and then I hightailed it out of there as fast as I could go. I agree with you about the Yellow Warbler. That guy truly was singing his little Heart out! Much Love to you! 💝💝💝

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  27. PS.. Amy my daughter once made me up some insect repellent with Lemon Grass and something else I forget.. But I never got bit once when I used that. I am all for alternatives too 🙂 ( reading your comments ) 🙂

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    1. One of the essential oils in my remedy is Lemon Grass, Sue. I actually doubled the amount of it and others I use and used as a base, almond oil instead of apple cider vinegar and glycerin. I used it today ….. so far it seems as if it works. I’ll really know for sure on a very hot and humid day when the skeeters are blood thirsty. I do alternative in everything that makes up my life whenever I can. ☺️

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  29. These were worth getting bitten. They’re skillful and creative and gorgeous. I love photos with birds and these are so nice. I love the poses the birds are in,serious business lol and the turkey vultures behind the leaves. You did a different approach and I really enjoy it.

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    1. Aw, thank you, BrittnyLee! I like “different” and when I meld with all that is around me, I enter a sacred world. I shoot where I am led to shoot and sometimes, like with the turkey vulture, the results are startling. I’m really glad you like and appreciate my photography. It was such a JOY to read your comment. I could tell by reading it how much you really got out of my post. And then because of you, I’ve got this huge smile on my face. LOL 😘

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      1. Awww that’s awesome. I’m glad you could tell. I know what you mean about being led to shoot. I was at worlds end state Park yesterday with my family and experienced that but with butterflies, yellow jackets and bumblebees. I got so close and they never registered me as a threat and I was recording and photographing the yellow jackets in their hive and they didn’t become aggressive once. It was as if I was meant to be there . It was such a rush watching them zoom all around and not have them feel threatened while I snapped shots of them:)

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      2. Oh wow, what an incredible experience. Your energy they do sense, and they know you mean no harm. How humbling to walk in your shoes among those that know so much fear from humans. Thank you for sharing your story, BrittnyLee. 🌟🌟🌟

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