Biography:
My name is Nikole, and I have been looking at insects for a number of years, but my fascination and eagerness to learn how to identify them is my reason for joining bugguide.net.
My Entomology partner is my dog Piper. She is a toy poodle and is one of the few who will tolerate my long excursions. :)
I enjoyed photography before I even developed my interest for insects. It started with birdwatching with my father.
I enjoyed the birds, but found myself also fascinated with what was in the grass. :) I was distracted by grasshoppers and butterflies. That's when my love for entomology started.
I started out with a Coolpix S3000, and my enthusiasm had me taking pictures of anything I could find.
I then got a Nikon Coolpix S6300 for Macro. I used that for 3 or more years.
Soon my father bought a new camera and offered me use of his old one (Nikon D300S with a 18-200 mm lens) which I had been using for some pictures.
I just reciently bought the D3300, and am loving it. I am now saving up for a macro lens. I borrowed one from a friend, and loved it. :)
I have to say that some of my favorite insects are Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), and Red-Headed Bush Cricket (RHBC or Phyllopalpus pulchellus).
Oh, and Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae). Particularly Coelidia olitoria Nymphs: I get a kick out of them. But how can you really pick a favorite? I mean, there are so many.
I try to Accept:
..Correction
..Pointers
..Help
..Advice
..Criticism
I try to take all of your comments into consideration. To me, getting an ID incorrect is just a learning experience.
Any knowledge I have acquired is from reading and observing bugs in there natural habitat, and let's not forget all the things I'm learning from the people of BugGuide.
But I am by no means an expert: I am not an Entomologist. I just love entomolo
gy.
I can only research on my own time and at my own pace. I hope you'll be understanding with me: I am just a girl trying to make sense of the diverse insect world. :)
I am eager to learn, and I try to always remember that I will never know everything there is to know. But isn't that why we love bugs? :)
I hope you will value my input, because I certainly value yours. Please feel free to share any interesting facts you know when IDing my pictures.
I'm so glad that they have made this website for fellow Bug lovers, and I look forward to learning from all of you. :D
