Training for the Piggy-back Marathon

With the AOG coming up soon, I'm starting to see a lot more wild athletes in serious training.  For example, Team Dogbane Beetles (Chrysochus auratus) were seen all over the stadium when I was out in the field this morning, many practicing for one of several Piggy-back events.  These two showed tremendous concentration and form, even while I poked ever-closer with my lens, accompanied by 7 other nature enthusiasts.  What professionals!


Also spotted in the training arenas:
From Team Bumble bee Cleaning up after visiting the canteen and from Team Red Milkweed Beetle - Pairs Leaf Gymnastics


What are the AOG, you ask?  Alternative Olympic Games, held in conjunction with the human Olympics but featuring all sorts of wild creatures, large and small.  Intrepid Reporters from the world over will be reporting on events in their local arenas, starting on 23 July.


Tagging:  Post any pre-game interviews or coverage #aog21pre.  Once the Games kick off, tag each day numerically starting with 1. So, on the first day of the AOG, tag #aog211, second day #aog212, and so on.  Don't worry, I'll post reminders in my journal.  


Calling all Judges!  I am requesting volunteers to help with judging.  It's easy - just visit each day's tagged entries and deliverer medals as you see fit (medals being hearts, stars and/or comments).  No big deal if you miss a day, but hoping to give the reporters and their athletes some extra encouragement along the way.


Events:  well, use your imagination!  In summer climates, pollinating, nectar snogging, hovering and seed-hoarding are all very popular events; in winter climates you may see seed and nut hoarding events as well as many spectacular flying and jumping competitions.  And, as always, keep an eye out for those "behind the scenes" happenings - romances, arguments and so on.  And keep an eye out for competitor predation...  So many thrills and chills in every AOG.


Spread the word, okay?   Only 11 more days until the Opening Ceremonies!

I met up with my nature group for the first time since fall of 2019 - it was so great to see people I haven't seen in almost 2 years and to catch up.  We walked and talked and enjoyed nature for 3 hours at which point, I had to head home and have a little rest.  Everyone in the group was aware of my recent cancer adventure so they had lots of encouraging words.  It was a very enjoyable morning.

Dark with sea salt today...

xo
Debbi