Thursday, August 13, 2020

13/08/2020 Mainly insects in the garden.

 Maximum temperature here today 24⁰C, minimum 18⁰C.  21 mm in the last 3 days and raining as I type this.  So far we have been lucky other people nearby have had bad hail.  21km/h South-Westerly winds with gusts up to 48 km/h.

Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis Muralis).

22 spot ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata) heading its way up my wine glass!...

It gave up at the top of the stem and flew away.

Orange-legged Furrow Bee (Halictus rubicundus). I liked the hairdo 😏.

European hornet (Vespa crabro)... 

As above.

Bumblebee...

As above...

As above.

Butterfly - one of the blues but with the wing damage I am not sure which...

The same blue (male) and Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).

European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula).

Larvae of either a Cockchafer or a Stag beetle.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

As above

Cosmos and bug.


My local list of wildflowers. (89 Species 20/07/2020).

See also my


37 comments:

  1. Some interesting and entertaining images there, Diane. You're getting great macro results - what lens are you using for them, please?

    I wish we could have some of your rain and cooler weather. They've been warning of a local potential for thunderstorms with seriously damaging results for the past few days now, and through to Monday too, but aprt from a few large drops for a few minutes, we've not seen rain or heard anything of a storm.

    Take great care and stay safe - it'll be a while yet! Best wishes to you both - - - - Richard

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    1. Hi Richard, I am using the Tamron 18-400mm f / 3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens - Nikon Mount (B028) with a Nikon D3500 camera. As a matter of interest it was nearly €100 cheaper bought here in France than what was advertised in the UK!!! We had another 13mm last night, so as far as the garden is concerned I am very happy it as looking much better and the lawn might green up a bit now, but then so will the weeds!! Luckily we have not had (so far) the storms that others have had, hail and trees brought down in high winds.

      Yes you are right it is going to be a while yet and I cannot see things improving much this year. Stay safe and stay at home as much as possible. Cheers Diane

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  2. Looks like an industrious lizard might find lots to eat in your garden, Diane!

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    1. David we have nothing like the amount of insects that we normally have and quite a few common species appear to be missing. May be the weather, first too wet for them, then too dry for them, and now mainly too hot for them!! Even the lizards have been scarce during the day, too hot for them to put their feet down!!
      Keep well and have a good weekend Diane

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  3. Brilliant photos Diane, such a treasure trove of nature's wonders. Thank you once again for sharing them. All the best :)

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    1. Thanks Denise, the insect world is an interesting place and I love to share when I can.
      Have a good weekend and stay safe Diane

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  4. I love the butterflies but the larva is one only a mother could love I fear. Great photos.

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    1. I could not agree more. I hate those larvae and they eat the roots of shrubs and plants!!, I like the longhorn beetles but I am not so keen on th chafers!! Keep safe, cheers Diane

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    1. LOL not sure which one is Eeeek but they are all interesting creatures. Have a good weekend Diane

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  6. Hi Diane - what amazing photos - quite extraordinary and so clear. Yes - love the hairdo ... and the yellow spotted lady bird - must be loving the cool of the wine glass ... gorgeous ... thank you = Hilary

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    1. Thank you Hilary, sorry if I ma not keeping up with visits but I seem to be extra busy this year. Because we did not go on holiday in June as planned I planted extra veg so it is now keeping me very busy!! Hope you are keeping well and staying safe, I just wonder which year we are going to return to normal?????
      Cheers Diane

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  7. You have such a great eye for details. Yes, the bee does have a funky hairdo!!

    It's awesome to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!! Thanks for linking up.

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    1. Thanks Betty it is fun to link up and thanks for hosting. Have a great week Diane

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  8. The 22 spot ladybird, butterflies and flower are very pretty. The bees look dangerous but they are too engrossed with the flowers. Enjoy your weekend.

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    1. Nancy I actually got stung this week by a bee, the first in many years but it was an accident. I was trying to save one that was struggling to get out of the water when another one flew up in fright. It got caught in my shorts and zap. Luckily I have tablets as I am allergic, but it has still taken 8 days before the swelling has settled down. You have a good week also and stay safe Diane

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  9. Lovely photos as usual. I love the bumble bee ones. You sure do have a great collection of bugs in your garden.

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    1. Diane I am sure everyone has a good collection, it is simply a case of looking for them and sometimes I miss ones which are well hidden. Keep safe and have a good week, t'other Diane

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  10. Do you just send invites out to all those bugs and critters so you can photo them?? Haha...I just don't have as much luck when I go out with the camera to hunt for them! I did get some great shots of a couple of butterflies that visited the Zinnia's. Had not been seeing many of them this yr. But then again I have not visited the deck like I used to. I need to work on that. Happy weekend.

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    1. LOL no I just look very hard for them. This year we seem to have far less then normal which is worrying. I hope you are feeling better and have a good week. Keep well Diane

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  11. Nice variety of bugs and you know so many by name. Although I have known the names of the birds since childhood, I never tried to master the dragonflies and butterflies. Now I forget so many of them that it is very pleasant to "meet" them again the next season. As in the song:"I know I know your face but I just can't recall your name; Well, how you do old sport you're looking just about the same!"

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    1. Haha Kenneth, I know that song well and I have never had a good memory. I try to keep notes of what I see but no guarantee that I will remembrer next time. Thanks for the comment. Have a good week and stay safe, Diane

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  12. The cosmos is gorgeous, I grew them in Louisville, but for whatever reason could never get them to grow well here in the Chicago area now. I don't recall ever seeing a yellow ladybug, very pretty! The bumblebees are beauties too! We seem to have a ton of ants this year, everywhere outside and trying to get inside. Great pics! Have a good rest of the week and be safe.

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    1. I am not sure that I have ever seen yellow ladybugs until we came here. We have ants but thankfully not trying to get into the house! Keep well and safe Pam. Diane

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  13. You always have so many great things to photograph! I hope you and Nigel are doing well. Trying to get back in the 'groove' here. :)

    xoxo

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    1. Thanks Sally yes all is well though I am getting a little tired of cooking every single day and not being able to go out!! Keep well Diane xx

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  14. You have such incredible patience with insects that allow for these great shots. Glad the ladybird didn't go for a dip in you wine. (I am so far behind reading blogs.)

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    1. Gaelyn I am not patient at all, they just have to behave and wait for me :-) I am far behind with both blogging and reading!! Take care Diane

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  15. Those are great macros! Wonderful detail and I like the "expression" on the lizard's face.

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    1. Haha watching me out of the corner of his eye. Keep well Diane

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  16. Superb series of macros, how sweet the yellow ladybug, I have never seen yellow ladybugs before 💜 It must be a wee bit frustrating to have such slow network speed Diane, but on the plus side it gives you more time to spend in your garden and out and about. Hope you are both keeping well, all good here in Perth 💙

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    1. Grace I am so far behind with blogging and reading not only due to our slow speeds but the garden has become very demanding!! We are both well and hope you are as well Diane

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  17. You provide us with a great look into our insect world Diane. Fabulous photos!

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    1. Thanks Denise. I am far behind on blogging, very slow WiFi and so much to do in the garden. Masses of Figs and the dehydrator will not work so I am having to bottle every day, very time consuming. Take care Diane

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  18. Your photos always show your love of everything gardens. Love the lizard. One knows they're doing all things possible when they attract lizards to visit.

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    1. Thanks Yvonne for the kind comment. I hope you are well and staying safe. Diane

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