Thursday, September 6, 2012

Testing the Waters




The children spotted him this morning, a beautiful big, lime green Bladder Cicada, a herald of noisy, warm evenings.




His wings look so much like leaves, providing camouflage. This Bladder Cicada was about 6cm or 2.5" long.




 "Can we have a swim today?"
Although a warm and windy day of 30C / 85F, the pool water is still quite cold due to our cool nights, so I say "No".




It's only a matter of days. Two children had to change out of half wet jeans after testing the waters today......




Our "resident" Blue Tongue Lizard is looking for shade as much as sun these days.




The tiny Erigeron Daisies are beginning to flower profusely.




Our Butterfly Trees (named after their butterfly-shaped leaves) are flowering, one pink, one white.







At 7pm this evening I hear crickets and also a cicada welcoming the first of many warm evenings, it's still 25C / 77F. All nature seems to be testing the waters of our summery spring.

Sharing at This or That Thursday, Flower Art Friday, Photo Story Friday, Our World Tuesday.

67 comments:

inka said...

Your photos are amazing, I love to look at them warmly greet :) :)

Anonymous said...

What lovely honey light! Fabulous macro shots.

chica said...

Perfeitas tuas fotos, SEMPRE! E essa das árvores iluminada, linda demais! beijos,chica

tinajo said...

Fantastic pics, the first one was too cool!

Rosemary Aubut said...

What a beautiful day you have had! Love the unusual insect! He really does look like foliage! Awesome macro!

DeniseinVA said...

Awesome pictures!

Sharon M said...

Wonderful photos!

Jennifer said...

Orange eyes, leaf-shaped bodies and blue tongued lizards; you have to admire Mother Nature's creativity.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I see a sweet looking face on that cicada, eyes and large ears.

Sure is heating up there fast and the pool will sure come in handy.

Love those trees! So strong and rooted. Not like the trees we have here. Goodness those trees are huge.

Cinzia said...

Great shots!!!
Cinzia

Jenni C's said...

your daisy photo is wow, our spring is still very much spring...;)

geanina said...

fantastic pictures! like it! :)

Fun60 said...

What excellent pictures. I have often heard the cicadas but never seen such an amazing photo of one before.

Debbie said...

your images are so beautiful today, they all made me smile!!

but that daisy, oh that daisy, that was indeed my favorite!!

a gorgeous entry!!

Kim Stevens said...

Wow, I just loved scrolling down through all of these, just beautiful photos. I'm so jealouse that you have those lizards, how cool!!

Unknown said...

My God, how I love your garden!!! :)))
Flowers, children, bugs and lizards... I love all that, not necessarily by this order... :)))

Greetings

Joop Zand said...

As usual very good and nice shots.

Greetings, Joop

Sylvia K said...

Wonderful captures as always, Karen! Love your "up close and personal" macro shots!! It'll soon be warm enough to swim!! Hope your week is going well!

Deanna said...

What a stunning group of images...I am always in awe of your abilities to capture such beauty in nature!!

FilipBlog said...

I don't know where I have to start complimenting you about these pictures. They are all fantastic.

Greetings,
Filip

Connie Smiley said...

So delightful to step into your spring. Beautifully written and photographed. It's always a pleasure to visit here. May God's blessing be yours today.

Gail Dixon said...

Gosh, I can't get over the wings of that cicada! Great images!!

Mary Lamoray said...

Wow! Fantastic photos!!! The last one of the trees is absolutely stunning!! And the one of miss E with her little feet is so adorable! Thanks for the beautiful break in my afternoon!

Juliana said...

Thanks for beautiful colorful collection of photographs... amazing gift this september day!

xoxo, Juliana
[pjhappies.blogspot.com]

Birgitta said...

Fantastic macro shots!

Rosemary said...

The sunlight on the trees in the last image is beautiful.

Marilyn said...

What lovely photos! I love seeing a glimpse of your spring as our summer wanes.

Gina Kleinworth said...

WOW- you always amaze me with all you have to photograph! Incredible job!

flowersandhome said...

Beautiful pictures again. That green insect in close up, wow, that's exactly how I would like to put these wonderous creatures on photo, so close, as if entering a whole different world.
Ooooo, your children are so looking out to playing in the pool. How great to have that in the garden. So refreshing on a hot summerday...
That lizard is something else. I would jump up totally surprised and startled if I'd meet one of those here ;-)
I wish you and your family a wonderful and sunny weekend,
bye,
Marian

deb duty said...

The daisy is lovely and the light on the tree is stunning!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a perfect summery day. So many wonderful photos my friend. Isn't it funny how kid love to swim no matter how cold the water.

Hugs~

Linda said...

~spectacular!!!! love the light in the last shot!

Lisa Gordon said...

What a beautiful series this is!
I absolutely love the third one here.
It is the perfect summer photograph.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
xo.

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Those wings do look just like leaves. That is so neat! I can just image how excited they are to get in that gorgeous pool!! I love the tree shot. That is amazing! :)

Cecily R said...

They're all fabulous, but "Can I Have A Swim Today?" is by far my favorite. Love that POV. Thanks so much for sharing on Photo Story Friday!

Rosemary said...

Love your first shot, now I know how the trees get their leaves, these bugs bring them one by one! It would make a wonderful fairy tale, don't you think?
You're making me a macro-aholic, your first butterfly tree, pink flower is beyond beautiful :)

Auksė said...

What lovely photos ! Our spring is wonderful.
The trees in the last photo are gorgeous.
Have a nice weekend !

Aukse

NatureFootstep said...

lovely fklowerart, but I liked all shots :)

lorik said...

Beautiful collection of images. Hard to choose my favourite - probably the golden light trees and the cicada. Thanks for visiting:)

ZielonaMila said...

Beautiful photographs, fantastic flowers, such colours are giving much joy. I am greeting

Seeing Each Day said...

Your warning email was really appreciated. It would have shocked me completely to scroll down with my usual genuine 'oohs and aahs' with your photos and be faced without preparation to the lizard one. Loved the pictures of the little ones entranced by the pool. I've got some time this afternoon/evening while the guests are out so making the most of it. Have a good weekend.

Seeing Each Day said...

Oh, and also,, neglected to mention your first and last photo here are so noteworthy.

Dave said...

Gosh, those temps seem high for Spring? That cicada is exactly like a leaf. I thought it was a catidid (?). Nice pictures Karen - Dave

Jana said...

simply amazing! I have never seen a cicada from so close! the last picture is very realxing...happy weekend from me:-)

Liz said...

Lovely blooms!

Canna Lily

CameraCruise said...

Wow, wonderful shots as always!
Have a great weekend.

Karin M. said...

Nice photos ... so beautiful summer shots ...
Love greetings, Karin

TheChieftess said...

That first butterfly flower is stunning!!! And I'm normally not a fan of macro bug shots...but this one is quite remarkable!!! Well done!!!

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

All are amazing! The cicada looks like a fat katydid and I love the lizard.

Doug Hickok said...

Excellent post... love the variety of images, and the light in the last frame. Your work is wonderful :^)

LeAnne said...

Beautiful and sweet images all. Thanks for sharing with Flower Art Friday!

A Colorful World said...

A sweet beginning to summer for you all. I hope you have a lovely season! Love the cicada! And the macro of the lily.

A Colorful World said...

I stopped short--meant to tell you that the tree picture is my favorite, though! Beautiful!

Michelle said...

Gorgeous images...all of them. The cicada is so interesting and that butterfly tree...love your focus!!!

Unknown said...

Great series, and congrats on the arrival of spring. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Dianne said...

I've never seen a bladder cicada before .... such a unique little critter and as you say it looks like its made out of gum-leaves.

eileeninmd said...

wow, these are awesome photos. I love cicada and the blue tongue lizard. Your children look adorable testing the water. And the tree is my favorite, the lighting is beautiful. Great shots!

Valerie said...

A superb series of images - especially that last one; the sun on the trunk of the tree is stunning. Thanks for sharing.

Kateri said...

You are heading into spring...we are getting ready for the first cool nights of fall. I need to get back into the habit of visiting your blog. Love your photos--but especially the lighting on the trees in that last one...

My name is Riet said...

What a beautiful post and series of photo ,s you luckily go into summer we will have winter in a few months.

Luna Miranda said...

you saved the best for last--the last photo is my favorite!

Lisa said...

Such great pictures every one! Your cicada is an handsome fellow - I've never seen one like that. And your flowers are gorgeous as always. I'm really hoping to get that Raynox lens for Christmas. :-) The light on the tree in that last shot is so pretty too!

Lisa said...

PS: I also meant to say that I loved those little feet with your daughter trying to touch the water too! :-)

Friend of HK said...

Wow! The Cicada photos are amazing! Great images~

Anna said...

What a beautiful cicada you have there in Australia, Karen!
Love your World... :D
Greetings Anna

Nicole said...

I love the tree shot! The light is gorgeous.

Gillian Olson said...

beautiful pictures, the last one of the trees especially.

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