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 Shot, I Heart Macro, Shoot. Edit. Submit - 5th photo (chosen as a Top 5 Winner).

A Matter of Seconds

2 pm

We are three weeks into autumn now yet each day the passionfruit vine opens more flowers, many of which begin to set fruit. As I have shared before, the flowers spring open within a few minutes, making it difficult to catch happening.

This afternoon I noticed two flowers had sprung open already while I was searching under some nearby zinnia leaves for ladybugs. I was hoping to witness the wonder of another passionfruit flower opening before their season was finished. Looking around I found this bud above as a promising prospect so decided to stay and watch it a few minutes - I'm pleased I did.

54 seconds later

20 seconds more

11 seconds later

9 seconds more

54 seconds later

Just 4 seconds later

A total of 2 minutes 32 seconds from the first photo above to the last! That's 152 seconds. By morning the flower will be shrivelling and mostly closed. God's handiwork is awesome!

So did I find any ladybugs??? You'll have to come back soon to find out......

A Touch of Yellow

As seen in my garden over the last few days......

Australian Native Wandering Jew

Tonight's sunset over the river, a lovely way to end a day.

Sharing at And Then She Snapped, SkyWatch Friday.

Grevillea Whispers

A new world of wonder opens up with my super macro conversion lens, I love it! Most these views are from this grevillea flower below. (If you look carefully you will notice the caterpillar in the photo directly above and also below)

Quite a deal of excitement mid-afternoon when this parcel arrived! Our first iPad lies safely inside, the new third generation iPad. I believe there are wonderful things to explore on it with photos too. I guess I'll have to take a number with all 10 of us wanting to have a turn on it over the next few days. My husband will enjoy opening it tonight at his leisure, no doubt surrounded by many very eager onlookers!

Sharing at Sneak Peek Friday, Weekend Reflections, Weekly Top Shot, I Heart Macro, Sweet Shot Tuesday.

Bright and Beautiful?

Camellia Sasanqua

Azalea

Geranium in a nearby garden

Something rather interesting at the local Art Gallery

Miss O having a closer look

Last, but not least, a bright little grasshopper.

Sharing at This or That Thursday.