My Ubiquitous Mascot by Chipka
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Description
Good days are easy to come by, if isopods are involved. They—like me—are very specific about the company they keep. They are—like me—a lot more complicated than their silence implies, and unlike me, they’re marvels of efficiency. If they happen to be woodlice (Armadilidium vulgare) they’re a lot shinier. Let’s face it…humans aren’t very good at that shiny thing. We don’t have calcium rich armor plates that respond to a good buffing. It’s a good day if I get to spend it with such good (and yes, efficient) company. I’m sure that I’ll have many good days ahead, but they’re not likely to involve woodlice…unless I go somewhere warm.
Woodlouse season has ended in Chicago. They’re all underground. Asleep in their little burrows: curled up and waiting for next year’s thaw. Unlike woodlice, I don’t get to sleep through the winter. This is a good thing as it means I get to photograph the winter. But there are obvious drawbacks…I don’t get to watch isopods. I don’t get to smell millipedes, or discover flagrantly flamboyant caterpillars. I get to look forward to them, however, and that’s good enough for me.
In honor of sleeping woodlice, I’m posting this image. I’d intended to do so earlier, but other woodlouse photos have displaced it. This is actually the same male woodlouse who appeared in earlier photographs in my gallery; you can identify him by his patterns. As I went roaming through my backlog of photos, I noticed this not-so-little guy. I remember how I’d spotted him in the truck-yard that has come to define a particular chapter in my life. I remember how impervious he seemed to virtually everything: including dogs with a habit of stepping on things. I remember how difficult it was to bribe this guy into standing still long enough for my camera to capture him. He didn’t actually stand still at all…instead…well…let’s just say he had somewhere important to go. Woodlice are like that, you know…little armored busybodies; they don’t mind letting you know that they have somewhere to go and that you are in their way. On occasion, they will keep you company in a purely voluntary way, but that’s probably because you’ve decided to shamelessly bribe them with celery, lettuce, or other succulent vegetation and then photograph them as they eat.
I once said that I’ll never live in a place that doesn’t have woodlice. Thankfully, woodlice live in all of the neighborhoods I plan to move into. That’s such a good thing, and it’s a warming thought at the current advent of winter. Perhaps by spring, as woodlice re-emerge, I’ll be one step closer to woodlice who speak Russian (Or Hungarian…long story there!) or Czech. I’ll be closer, as well to English speaking woodlice in the Pacific Northwest, though I have it on good authority that Pacific Northwest woodlice are exactly like the Chicago breeds: they understand English, but refuse to speak it as it makes their beaks feel funny.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a fantastic week.
Comments (21)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
RodS Online Now!
Excellent macro capture, and you tickle my funnybone with your writing! Excellent!
RedundantlyAbundant
Thanks for sharing your story - now I can identify with this little bugger...excellent macro!
Orinoor
You bring attention to creatures that most people don't even notice. I admit, they held a fascination when I was a child and not so much now, but I think that has less to do with age and more to do with how I occupy my time. Thanks for bringing back that little bit of childhood memory and wonderful photo!
auntietk
I believe you are correct about the PNW woodlice. I've never heard one say a thing. Not even in Russian!
cfulton
Very well done, Clive
helanker
This is such a fine shot of a benchbiter :-) You have made me LIKE woodlice. I actually never thought I would ever have any feelings for a woodlouse. :D
durleybeachbum
Such a very shiny chappie! I very much enjoyed your musings too. and I know how difficult it is to get such a clear shot, they always seeem to have such a lot to DO.
lick.a.witch
Oh lovely!! I've not seen one this patterned before. Mark you, all mine live underneath the woodpiles and slowly composting mounds I have in the side garden, so they don't come out to play much! Just as wonderful as this superb macro, is your chattering! It entertains, educates and cheers one up immensely! How's that for a day's work, and it's hardly begun yet! ^=^
MrsLubner
You measure seasons by woodlice and I measure it by how fast the hair on my legs grows. LOL Now there is a difference in weather stations! Love your shot of the rollypolly and the shine is outstanding!
flavia49
amazing!! wonderful capture of the metallic shine of this bug!!
MrsRatbag
What a wonderful capture! And here I thought it would be a shot of Kafka...
flora-crassella
a very nice silver woodlice! GREAT photo!!!!
T.Rex
Beautiful photo of this creature. They are one of the few insects I actually like. Their ability to roll up into a ball has always fascinated me. But, as for understanding, I've always wondered what a little critter like than can understand, if it has any capacity for thought and ability to make decisions, and if it has any semblance of feelings. I have silverfish at home, and they seem to have some intelligence when I try to get them. Now, just how did you get it to pose like that for the camera? :) Again, beautiful photo. Keep up the good work! :-)
sandra46
RERALLY PRETTY BUG
NefariousDrO
Very nice macro, you can see a fascinating level of the detail in this little guy. I can really understand your appreciation of them. As someone who's made several versions of armor, I'm in awe of the beauty of their armoring. I wish I could train under one of them somehow... Can you imagine the things they'd have to teach about making overlapping shells?
three_grrr
When we were children, we used to torment the poor things, we were fascinated by how they could curl up into a complete, total, little ball! So we harassed them until they curled up. How delighted we would be! Now, millenia have passed and I am STILL fascinated by how they can curl up into complete and total little balls! Yours has a wonderful pattern, I don't think I've ever seen that. But that may be because I never got past their abilitly to become tiny little marbles!
Bothellite
THIS is a great woodlouse photo. Best I've seen, I think. Yes, the PNW has such critters and kids love to play with them as well.
danapommet
I can always tell when life is at its best with Chip. Your prehistoric, armor plated isopod photos are major hints and the thought of you trying to bribe a woodlice, to pose for a photo op. Well, this must have been a great day and that joy comes through with this capture. Fantastic shot my friend. Wonderful clarity. Dana
praep
They look so natural but like small roboters. Cool shot and postwork.
tommorules
Not sure they've gone away - there was one in my bath this morning & it's -8c here in the UK at the moment! Love the grunge feel of this image, you make the detestable, quite likeable really!