field~guide

Daily observations in science and nature. Available for sale at darkspring.tictail.com. All paintings by Aimee Lusty, 2015.

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Made a poster of this painting, 16 x 20 inches. Now on sale for $20. 

©Aimee Lusty, 2016. 

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Diadophis punctatus (Ring-Necked Snake), 2016, 5 x 5 inches, acrylic on paper. 

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RIP / TORN [left to die], acrylic on paper, 8 x 10 inches

Aimee Lusty, 2016

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Ardea herodias (Great blue heron)

The great blue heron is a large wading bird, common near shores of open water and in wetlands. It is the largest North American heron with a height of 4 - 5 ft, and a wingspan of 5 - 7ft. A.herodias generally feed on small fish, but are also known to feed on a range of shrimp, crabs, aquatic insects, rodents, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and other birds. Herons will wait statuesque at the water’s edge especially around dawn and dusk. They will quickly spear fish or frogs with its large sharp bill, and swallow its prey whole.

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, December 2015.

-SOLD-

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Strix huhula (Black Banded Owl)

The black banded owl is a nocturnal bird, roosting in a well-concealed spot in a tree during the day, and becoming active at dusk. Mainly eating insects, especially locusts, mantises and beetles. Found in tropic and subtropic rainforests, forest clearings and coffee and banana plantations in forested areas in South America east of the Andes. 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, December 2015.

-SOLD-

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Peppermint Stripe Corn Snake

The corn snake is a species of rat snake that subdues its small prey by constriction, the pink peppermint stripe is a common morph to the naturally orange and checkered pattern species. Adults can grow to be 2-6ft and live in the wild 6-8years and in captivity up to 23 years. Wild corn snakes prefer overgrown fields, forest openings, trees, palmetto flat woods and abandoned buildings. They can be found in the southeaster US, ranging from New Jersey to the Florida Keys and as far west as Texas. 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, December 1, 2015.

-Available $75-

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Helicodiceros muscivorus (Dead Horse Arum Lily)

H. muscivorous is native to Corsica, Sardinia and Balearic Islands. Its name comes from its resemblance to the smell and appearance of a dead horse anus. The flowers omit an odiferous odor of rotting meat attracting carrion-seeking flies. As a second attractant the dead horse arum can raise its temperature by thermogenesis to lure flies which act as pollinators. The flies cannot distinguish the difference between the smell and heat from that of fresh carrion. The flies are held hostage in part of a two-day pollination process as the plant's sexual organs mature.

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, November 30, 2015.

-Available $75-

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Grammia virgo (Virgin Tiger Moth)

G. virgo is part of the Arctiinae family, commonly known as Tiger Moths, and the largest of the Grammia species (length20-27mm). 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, 2015.

-Available $65-

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Acacia dealbata (Silver wattle, Blue wattle, Mimosa)

The Silver Wattle is an evergreen tree or shrub growing 20-30 feet with a life span of 30 to 40 years, with blue-green foliage, fragrant yellow flowers, and small silver hairs growing on its twigs. It favors disturbed sites in coastal prairies, riparian areas and coniferous forests.  It spreads via rhizomes and seeds and easily re-sprouts after being cut. Although a common ornamental, the Silver Wattle has earned its place on the California Invasive Plant List for its affect on preventing growth of native understory plants. 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, 2015.

-Available $50-

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Aponogeton madagascariensis (Madagascar Lace Plant)

The Madagascar Lace Plant is an aquatic plant native to Madagascar, endangered in the wild after its discovery and subsequent high demand as an exotic ornamental after WWII. The leaves spread horizontally underwater and are comprised of a lattice-like skeletal network of veins with no tissues between. They vary in length from 2 inches to 3 feet long, sprouting from a tuberous edible rhizome. 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty

-Available $65-

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Lasiodora parahybana

Common name: Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula

The salmon pink bird-eater is the third largest tarantula and can grow up to 11 inches. Its fangs generally grow up to 1 inch and deliver a painful bite similar to that of a cat. When threatened, biting is the last resort, its first defense is to flick hairs from a patch on their abdomen, these hairs are barbed and irritate the skin of the potential predator, if throw into eyes, blindness can occur. 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, painted November 19, 2015.

-SOLD-

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Entomology Studies. Acrylic on paper, 5 x 7 inches, ©Aimee Lusty. 

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Haemanthus albiflos (Paintbrush)

Haemanthus albiflos is a species of flowering plant native to South Africa. It has been cultivated as a very successful indoor plant which thrives on healthy neglect. Its appearance has earned it the name Paintbrush Plant and Elephant’s Tongue. 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, painted November 17, 2015.

-Available $75-

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Nepenthes Hybrid

Nepenthes, also known as pitcher plants, is a genus of carnivorous plants comprised of roughly 150 species. The pitcher or trap contains a syrupy liquid that is used to drown its prey. The lower part of the trap contains glands that absorb nutrients from the captured pray. Typically arthropods, ants and insects fall prey to the sweet nectar. 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, painted November 16, 2015.

-Available $75-

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Attacus Atlas

Common name: Atlas Moth

The Atlas Moth is a large saturniid moth with a wingspan up to 12 inches. Also known as the ‘snake head moth,’ the markings on its wing tips resemble the curved shape of a cobra’s head. When the insect is threatened it drops to the ground and fans its huge wings in a movement that looks similar to that of the snake’s head and neck. Despite their huge size, the moths do not eat anything once they hatch from their cocoons, both male and females lack mouths and rely on the sustenance they build up as caterpillars for stored energy. They only live as hatched moths for 2-3 weeks. 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, painted November 10, 2015.

-Available $75-

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Gecarnucus quadtratus

Common name: Halloween Crab, Moon Crab

A nocturnal land crab common to the coastal lowland tropical rainforests of Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, and the Caribbean. These crabs are nighttime foragers, collecting fruit, leaf litter, and seedlings. They can also be seen climbing trees to forage. 

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, painted November 9, 2015.

-SOLD-

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Crassula alstonii

Crassula alstonii is a species of succulent in the Crassulaceae family. Its fleshy succulent leaves congregate in the shape of a dome with a velvety texture. The buds picture above will open to reveal small yellow flowers. This plant is native to South Africa.

5 x 7 inches Acrylic on paper Aimee Lusty, painted October 23, 2015.

-Available $40-