Magnolias in full bloom_Munich_Germany_April 2016

     Magnolia is an ancient flowering plant that belongs to the family Magnoliaceae. The name of this plant comes from the name of a French botanist, Pierre Magnol. Together with palms, magnolias belong to the prehistoric plants - magnolias are believed to be on our planet for at least 95 million years! Interestingly, magnolia is pollinated by beetles (when magnolias appeared the bees did not exist yet). 

Caterpillars in New Orleans_Louisiana_US_April_2016

Caterpillars are the larval forms of moths and butterflies. Some caterpillars are equipped with the stings and a poison, to protect themselves against the predators. During my 7-day stay in New Orleans, I observed two caterpillars: one contained spikes (the buck moth), while the other one was hairy. They were on sidewalks. Both were walking pretty fast. Since caterpillars can sting people and trigger allergic reactions, it is better not to touch them.

The buck moth (Hemileuca Maia) caterpillar, New Orleans.

Some another type of caterpillar, New Orleans.

Spring in Washington DC_US_April 2016

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

Fritillaria melagris

Narcissus

Washington DC's Cherry Blossom_3.04.2016