Weekly Grist Gallery, April 17, 2011

Thrill rides and beneficial bugs

The aroma of southern grilling accompanied by screams of thrilling welcome you to the 2011 Star Daze festival in Star City, Arkansas. It's kind of like a county fair in the spring — without the critters.

Further north, at the edge of a huge field of winter wheat we found a pair of lady bugs willing to pose. Lady bugs are beneficial bugs. Our friends, these colorful beetles' favorite foods are the bad-guy insects that destroy our food. Go girls!

 
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    This ride, Pharoh's Fury, at Star Daze precipitates thrills and screams.
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    Pharoh's Fury caught in mid-air.
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    Not just the young and reckless enjoyed the big swing.
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    Two digging it and one buried head.
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    They're lovin' it!
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    Self-explanatory.
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    Coming soon to a biscuit near you. Winter wheat in a field off Highway 63, northeast of the Arkansas River near Pine Bluff AR.
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    Ditto.
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    The first lady bug makes her appearance on the head of a wheat stalk.
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    Lady bug up close and personal.
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    A friend shows up for the shoot.
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    The junction of Lovelace Road and Highway 63 northeast of Pine Bluff AR. It looked like one of those movie scenes where a helicopter is about to pop over the horizon.
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    Same, with truck.

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