Cranes and moths

Let me introduce you to an extraordinary pair of artists.

To be honest, it’s once again about the very last remnants

Do you still have box trees in your garden? That’s no longer a matter of course these days. A small moth called the European Box Borer has already eaten a large part of the total population in this country. My small potted plants have not survived the clear eating either, and the Bad Pyrmont spa gardens, right on my doorstep, have also been attacked. With its variety of plants, the spa gardens provide me with bizarre finds. Fallen branches, scattered seed capsules and dried flower remains are easy to discover here.

The moth is small, but completes its work meticulously

In the summer, I was amazed to see a box hedge that had been eaten away. At first glance, the shrubbery looked a little sad, but at second glance it looked disgusting – because of the cobwebs and droppings of countless voracious white grub caterpillars.

At third glance, I discovered amazingly ornate leaf remnants left by the caterpillars. Boxwood leaves are usually only about 1 cm long. Until then I had not realized that they are equipped with a leaf skeleton just like any foliage.

The larvae had rasped away all the greenery and exposed the incredibly delicate leaf skeletons. Some of these sheets have of course ended up in my collection and inspire my collages here and there. I am fascinated by the uniqueness of every single bare leaf. What artful, delicate works. Some of the caterpillars have left a little green on them. The skeletons have a delicate silvery sheen. As I said, the moth is also an artist.

In the wedding dance of the cranes shown below, hummingbirds buzz happily around the bride and groom as witnesses thanks to their insect wings. This scene takes place on approx. 5 x 5 cm.

And when the cranes fly over your house again in the fall with their magical trumpet call, let your thoughts and wishes go on a journey with them.

Let’s let these wonderful birds migrate. Capturing them on paper is a reminder to me of these impressive migratory birds.

By the way, you can also discover the tünsler artists in my catalog.

These two have already found their home. If you would like me to create your own pair, I would be delighted to hear from you.