quinacridone

Wow! It must be quite something living in a place where these can be sharing your living space...(also double wow for living in Hawaii! What an amazing place!)

It doesn't surprise me that these things can grow bigger, I did add the caveat, largest so far....there's always a bigger beastie out there

Worthy of a post of it's own, I think 👍

Both a shame and happy coincidence, I wouldn't fancy having a seagull sized dragonfly dive bombing me!

Incidentally, I'm planning some posts on prehistoric insects and invertebrates for the near future which I'm looking forward to researching....so plenty of large 'monsters' from the past to checkout

Thank you! 👍

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I learnt a lot myself when reading up on it, and as there are lots of different species of insects that are infected by cordyceps there's the potential for future posts

Thanks for the feedback! There are some really weird things out there, I happened upon a photo of a tropical frog with a little mushroom growing out of its side....I'll post it this week if I can find it again

Also this link has a time lapse video from the BBC for those who want to see the fungus in action!

That is fucking GLORIOUS!!

I would love to see the aurora in real life, but no luck so far...

I met my bf before I even suspected (and eventually diagnosed) as autistic. Now, he is likely to also be on the spectrum and a third party who has some expertise in this also agrees. I was attracted to him because he's kind and gentle and patient (also physically attractive too) and didn't fit into a 'bloke' stereotype (he's very emotional and not afraid to show this)

I was attracted to him because he was happy being himself.

I think i have an autistic radar where I'll make friendships with other neurodiverse people, because I feel more comfortable with 'my people'

Now personality and spectrum wise we are dissimilar, I'm more logical and spock-like and crap at communicating (I'd probably be happy being semi verbal for the rest of my life), he's all emotional, and talks and can handle people better.

Sensory wise I don't like hugs, noises, the sun, fairground rides, I love perfumes and smells...he loves hugs, hates smells, loves sitting out in the sun really loves fairground rides....you get the idea

Our autism presents very differently and I struggle dealing with him at times and he does with me....I didn't consciously think I want to have an autistic partner in life, we clash often, but we also come together and can stragegise our way through difficult people and situations using both our strengths

He pushes me (not in a bad way) to step outside my comfort zone so I do get to experience more things in life, and I do enjoy the fact that he can be very silly, and do odd things that make me laugh

I don't think any relationship is easy, and a double autistic or NT/autistic and NT/NT relationships all have their unique issues and difficulties. I just think that having someone who loves and cares for you, not matter how stressed/meltdowned/shutdowned you are, and is patient enough not to be angry or demanding, or controlling, and just cares for you despite your own weird brain acting the way it does....

Apologies for any word salad, and a wordy comment 😀

I'm really shit at working these sorts of things out, so no answer from me....just wanted to say that's a really beautiful image!

You're welcome, and cheers 👍

That lady (the pensioner, not Thatcher) deserves either a rise in her state pension and/or a New Year honour, perhaps a Baroness....?