Beachwood Bea. 2021. Acrylic on canvas. 12″x16″.

Not long ago, one of my neighbors on the social media platform Nextdoor posted an offer for free fish. I am now the proud caretaker of four Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). These minnows are native to much of the Mississippi River basin. Known for their voracious appetite for mosquito larvae, this species was carelessly introduced to far-flung locations throughout the 20^th Century in a mostly misbegotten attempt to eradicate the spread of mosquito-borne pathogens such as those that cause malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya.

Stop trying to break in to this site. I’ve got your number.