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.
Your photos are amazing, I love to look at them warmly greet :) :)
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely honey light! Fabulous macro shots.
ReplyDeletePerfeitas tuas fotos, SEMPRE! E essa das árvores iluminada, linda demais! beijos,chica
ReplyDeleteFantastic pics, the first one was too cool!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day you have had! Love the unusual insect! He really does look like foliage! Awesome macro!
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteOrange eyes, leaf-shaped bodies and blue tongued lizards; you have to admire Mother Nature's creativity.
ReplyDeleteI see a sweet looking face on that cicada, eyes and large ears.
ReplyDeleteSure 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.
Great shots!!!
ReplyDeleteCinzia
your daisy photo is wow, our spring is still very much spring...;)
ReplyDeletefantastic pictures! like it! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat excellent pictures. I have often heard the cicadas but never seen such an amazing photo of one before.
ReplyDeleteyour images are so beautiful today, they all made me smile!!
ReplyDeletebut that daisy, oh that daisy, that was indeed my favorite!!
a gorgeous entry!!
Wow, I just loved scrolling down through all of these, just beautiful photos. I'm so jealouse that you have those lizards, how cool!!
ReplyDeleteMy God, how I love your garden!!! :)))
ReplyDeleteFlowers, children, bugs and lizards... I love all that, not necessarily by this order... :)))
Greetings
As usual very good and nice shots.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Joop
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!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning group of images...I am always in awe of your abilities to capture such beauty in nature!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know where I have to start complimenting you about these pictures. They are all fantastic.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
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.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I can't get over the wings of that cicada! Great images!!
ReplyDeleteWow! 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!
ReplyDeleteThanks for beautiful colorful collection of photographs... amazing gift this september day!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Juliana
[pjhappies.blogspot.com]
Fantastic macro shots!
ReplyDeleteThe sunlight on the trees in the last image is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photos! I love seeing a glimpse of your spring as our summer wanes.
ReplyDeleteWOW- you always amaze me with all you have to photograph! Incredible job!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful 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.
ReplyDeleteOoooo, 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
The daisy is lovely and the light on the tree is stunning!
ReplyDeleteSounds 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.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
~spectacular!!!! love the light in the last shot!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful series this is!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the third one here.
It is the perfect summer photograph.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
xo.
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! :)
ReplyDeleteThey'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!
ReplyDeleteLove 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?
ReplyDeleteYou're making me a macro-aholic, your first butterfly tree, pink flower is beyond beautiful :)
What lovely photos ! Our spring is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe trees in the last photo are gorgeous.
Have a nice weekend !
Aukse
lovely fklowerart, but I liked all shots :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection of images. Hard to choose my favourite - probably the golden light trees and the cicada. Thanks for visiting:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs, fantastic flowers, such colours are giving much joy. I am greeting
ReplyDeleteYour 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.
ReplyDeleteOh, and also,, neglected to mention your first and last photo here are so noteworthy.
ReplyDeleteGosh, those temps seem high for Spring? That cicada is exactly like a leaf. I thought it was a catidid (?). Nice pictures Karen - Dave
ReplyDeletesimply amazing! I have never seen a cicada from so close! the last picture is very realxing...happy weekend from me:-)
ReplyDeleteLovely blooms!
ReplyDeleteCanna Lily
Wow, wonderful shots as always!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Nice photos ... so beautiful summer shots ...
ReplyDeleteLove greetings, Karin
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!!!
ReplyDeleteAll are amazing! The cicada looks like a fat katydid and I love the lizard.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post... love the variety of images, and the light in the last frame. Your work is wonderful :^)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and sweet images all. Thanks for sharing with Flower Art Friday!
ReplyDeleteA sweet beginning to summer for you all. I hope you have a lovely season! Love the cicada! And the macro of the lily.
ReplyDeleteI stopped short--meant to tell you that the tree picture is my favorite, though! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous images...all of them. The cicada is so interesting and that butterfly tree...love your focus!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat series, and congrats on the arrival of spring. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeletewow, 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!
ReplyDeleteA superb series of images - especially that last one; the sun on the trunk of the tree is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou 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...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and series of photo ,s you luckily go into summer we will have winter in a few months.
ReplyDeleteyou saved the best for last--the last photo is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteSuch 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!
ReplyDeletePS: I also meant to say that I loved those little feet with your daughter trying to touch the water too! :-)
ReplyDeleteWow! The Cicada photos are amazing! Great images~
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful cicada you have there in Australia, Karen!
ReplyDeleteLove your World... :D
Greetings Anna
I love the tree shot! The light is gorgeous.
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures, the last one of the trees especially.
ReplyDelete