<p>Beautiful work from everyone. This elderberry had a spot of heavy infestation by aphids, which were apparently being "ranched" by ants for their secretions. This ant appears about to consume a drop of the manna. One week later, ants and aphids were all gone. </p><div></div>
<p>By early June, the path of the sun migrates sufficiently north so that, viewed from our local beach, it no longer sets behind a flat Pacific Ocean, but behind a body of land which I believe is the end of the Point Reyes peninsula. I discovered this two years ago when I rushed after work to capture the final seconds of the sunset with Venus in transit.</p>
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<p>Birthday wishes, indeed, to this great weekly show of visions of nature. Thanks to Laura for her effort and insightful thoughts. My contribution this week is a view of the crimson columbine prior to its fully blooming. I was trying to capture its symmetry.</p><div></div>
<p>Thanks, Laura, for showing the fascinating slime mold. Hope you are feeling better. Great image, John Farrar. Positively vertigo-inducing. My shot is of a blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium bellum, which is actually in the iris family.</p><div></div>