Thursday, March 22, 2012

Unexpected Friends




This delightful insect was enjoying collecting nectar on a camellia flower. At first I thought it may have been a wasp but it posed not threat. With help from google I have identified it as an Australian Black Banded Hover Fly. They help pollinate plants and their larvae eat aphids and other garden pests, sounds like a great friend to me.







Some more friends have been lurking in  my garden. I had spotted the odd yellow and black ladybug on the ageing zinnia plants.







As I looked more closely, I discovered lots of these little beauties on the undersides of the zinnia leaves. I counted at least 20 of them, some smaller than others.




This one is busy doing a little preening  and cleaning between feeds. They really are quite fascinating to watch.







On another zinnia leaf was this bigger bug, again quite friendly, even waiting patiently while I took his photo!




The nearby basil flowers are attracting a different set of insects again with European bees and the smaller, faster, harder-to-snap native bees.



Last but not least, a pretty little butterfly too.

I love having garden friends who are busy little workers. My busy little people helpers have swapped school lessons for house painting this week - our badly peeling hallway and surrounds are receiving some much needed attention.

Sharing at This or That Thursday, Sneak Peek Friday, Weekly Top ShotI Heart Macro, Shoot. Edit. Submit - 5th photo (chosen as a Top 5 Winner).

56 comments:

tinajo said...

Wonderful macros - love them! :-)

ally said...

acquaintances...not friends!!
love the details

Vision By Mila said...

nice macro.. am planning to buy a macro lens sometime soon, but I still wonder if I'll dare take pics of bugs, they look so.. well disgusting to me.. :)

Giga said...

Miło mi oglądać te przyjazne owady z bliska. Piękne zdjęcia. Pozdrawiam.*** I am glad to see these friendly insects up close. Beautiful pictures. Yours.

Rosemary said...

Macro work shows all the wonder that is nature. The little hairs, dewdrops, and details in the wings - just beautiful.

Tina´s PicStory said...

what great macros! wonderful :)

Mathilda said...

Ich liebe Insekten und freue mich schon auf den Sommer.

LG Mathilda

Diana Tavares Fotografia said...

muito boas gostei muito:)

Cristina Ferreira said...

As fotos macro estão perfeitas, muito bonitas mesmo. Belas imagens do seu jardim.

Beijos.

Tiffany said...

Beautiful...I've been working on capturing bees on my weeping cherry. Hope I do as good as you! Have a great day.

Tiffany

Judy said...

I just love coming here to see your photos.

Sylvia K said...

I love your macro shots and they do give me an opportunity to see and enjoy the unique beauty of insects which I'm not sure I've ever done before! These are delightful and obviously beneficial to your garden! Hope your week is going well!

Sylvia

Marijke said...

Hey Karen, garden friends are also welcome to me and how beautiful you have captured them. I wish you luck painting the house.
gr. Marijke

Liz said...

Your garden is so full of delights... flowers, bugs, butterflies and more! Gorgeous images and such wonderful macros. I have missed blogging while we moved house and viewing blogs like yours. I hope you and yours are well?

Joop Zand said...

Compliments for these lovely pictures....light, colors and compo's are so nice.

Greetings, Joop

Gillian Olson said...

Gorgeous close ups. You have quite a variety of garden helpers.

Isabelle said...

Nice to meet all your friends. Beautiful pictures as always :)

A Colorful World said...

Love that white and tan butterfly! And the bee on the basil! As we welcome spring, you are welcoming fall. I hope it is wonderful for you all! Keep the photos coming...they are amazing!

LindyLouMac said...

What can I say, your photos are always such incredible macros.

Claire Justine said...

Wonderful shots :)

Karin M. said...

Beautiful and perfect shots,
My compliment for this grandiose shots.....
Best regards, Karin

A wondering star said...

Beautiful and fascinating photos of your unexpected friends!
Spring is here and ladybirds, bees and butterflies are starting to wake up.

Thanks for sharing.

FilipBlog said...

The first and last picture are fabulous.

Greetings,
Filip

Barb said...

You have lots of fabulous "helpers" there pollinating your garden. I bet your house helpers are even cuter! What great photos!

Susan said...

Wow...your macro's are amazing!!

Judy Royal Glenn said...

I like your first photo:)

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your photography is stunning. I love the flower and how it is edged with rain or dewdrops.BEAUTIFUL!

Angie said...

Wow, Karen! That first shot is unbelievable! Such detail! I marvel over your images every single time I come to read your blog posts. Honestly, they just WOW and thrill me beyond words! Happy Friday to you and yours! :)

Dave said...

More lovely macro pics Karen. Like you, I like to observe insects while I work in my gardens. It can be facinating - Dave

LadyFi said...

As always - your shots are stunning!

Heather said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Heather said...

These are awesome! great shots.

Jennifer said...

Your shots are exquisite. Insects can be as beautiful as the flowers.

hawknitr13 said...

you are a fantastic teacher of nature with these pics and investigating! what a lovely gift you are giving your children!!

Unknown said...

WOW!! These are all such amazing photos. I just love seeing your macro shots...

Hugs, Linda

Thomas GIMOND said...

J'aime vraiment beaucoup vos photos :)
La nature est rendue magnifique au travers des ces clichées!

Thea said...

I'm always stunned by your photography. Absolutely amazing!!

Reena said...

OUtstanding photos! So crisp and clear! How the heck do you get them to pose???

Seeing Each Day said...

Oh no, not more painting! Focus on the flowers Karen, just keep focussing on the flowers... Adore your first shot here.

Tricia said...

What beautiful photos! Oh, they make me long for summer. I love that camellia...how pretty!

Unknown said...

Simply amazing!

Ruby said...

Beautiful macros!!

Kay said...

Gorgeous macros! And how nice that all your visitors seem to be beneficial. Really beautiful series.

Tracey Leeder said...

WOW. Stunning. That is one beautiful butterfly too.

Shel said...

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your photography - it's so stunning! I always feel as if I could reach out and hold the objects on my screen when I see them. Amazing - thanks for sharing!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

That is so neat! Your little garden friends are so interesting to see. Fun to watch these little guys in action! :)

Mary Lamoray said...

Fantastic!!! 'Popping colors!!'

Anonymous said...

Wow!! Such amazingly crisp macro shots.. and the colors are rich and vibrant! I'm so glad you decided to join us and share at 'Weekly Top Shot.' :-) I hope you'll come share again next week...

Birgitta said...

Wonderful macros!

Lisa said...

Wow. Amazing shots. Our spring will be stating and I just hope I can capture some critters like this

Lisa said...

I dont think I have ever seen any thing like that close up bug or lady bug. Its such a different color.

Georgianna said...

Hi Karen! Brilliant photos – very impressive! The "bumblebee" ladybug is fascinating.

Thanks so much, as always, for stopping by. Wishing you a really wonderful week. (Happy Birthday to your daughter – she's a beauty.) xo – g

Bethany said...

Amazing shots! I love them!

Unknown said...

Znakomite fotografie! Piękne ujęcia. Pozdrawiam. Marek

Kala said...

Fantastic colors and details in these macros!

Jamie said...

Amazing pics!!

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