This little bee stopped for a clean and a rest today on the calendula. It was awesome to watch.
(c) K Wicks
Wildlife
Purple
A selection of purples from my photos.
(c) K Wicks
Summer in the garden
There have been some awesome little bugs and insects this year. Most of them have moved on now and the late summer change of plants begins. I shall get some new seeds planted to start the winter grow. Hopefully autumn will have some different things going on, its one of my favourite months. Here are some of the brightest and coolest of the last month or so.
(c) K Wicks
Elderberry pearl moth
This is a first for me seeing an elderberry Pearl moth. It was hiding amongst the rose leaves and luckily settled again for a few moments while I got a few shots.
(c) K Wicks
July caterpillars & butterflies
There have been fewer butterflies by this time last year, but the weather did really delay all the flowers coming out so its not surprising.
But July had made up for it, firstly with a tortoiseshell a couple of weeks ago, warming up on the fence.
But last week, I was contemplating getting rid of the overgrown and looking almost past it sow thistle. Then decided to look closely at all the fading heads and small aphid patches – thinking there is still a lot of life here. Then I saw them.
Lots of little caterpillars. The sun was coming up and made for a few awesome pictures.
I think they are starting to look like bright-line brown-eye moth caterpillars after looking through many options, but we will see. One has made it over to my small growing cherry tree and has munched its way through half a leaf or two, but that’s ok. There’s plenty there and it is food for them.
The detail on them is amazing when you get up close. I was also treated to large and small white butterflies making an appearance at last. Drawn in by the lavender rather than the nasturtiums. It landed as I had my camera in hand watching the bees, a rare treat compared to waiting, following and still not catching them. I hope for more to come.
(c) K Wicks
High as a kite
The kites are back, haven’t seen many yet this year, but they often pass right overhead catching the thermals. If I have my long lens handy I get an occasional shot. One from this year and a few from last year.
(c) K Wicks
Ladybirds – July 2021
Today has been very exciting in the garden. The warm weather and flowering plants have bought in an abundance of insects.
After seeing lots of ladybird larvae on my rose bush that had grown very tall in the last few months, I’ve been checking in case I see any grown up and today I saw them all. I don’t think I was checking properly before, just a quick glance and you can miss them. But I believe there are 5 different ones, just today, on one plant! One had strayed over to the charlock too.
The picture of a larvae was from a few weeks ago, but that’s not bad for a short time in the garden in one afternoon. Its roasting today and not easy to stand in it for too long, but I will be back out there again for rumage around. Have been picking more berries today to whip up a pudding which I may just share with you all later. Well, the recipe that is, I haven’t made enough for everyone.
Here is one from last year to add a bit more colour to a pretty cool set 🐞
(c) K Wicks
Charlock mustard
There has been lots of bug activity since the weather warmed, less on the honey bee front. Now a few of the tubes in the bee Hotel are blocked up there doesn’t seem to be as many visitors. I’m new to watching Bees so this might be their normal seasonal routine (although there have been a number of them the last few days on the lavendar).
For bumble bees and hoverflies, there have been tons. Seems that the charlock mustard is a big favourite. Many different types of hovefly and buff tailed bumblebees amongst others. Daily activity on this, so much so I can’t bring myself to scale it back until it stops flowering, it’s not a small plant. Then I guess it will go to seed and I may just pick them and see what I can do with them.
(c) K Wicks
Busy starlings
Seems we have lots of new starling hanging around and finding their feet (and wings) so to speak. Gathering in little groups to cause a small rucus, it’s quite fun to watch.
(c) K Wicks
Leafcutter bee
Another first and a very exciting one. I had just found my pink strawberry plant was flowering, hidden among other strawberries and the loganberries. With a fuchsia plant and wildflowers too. As I was trying to get enough sunlight in for a shot, a bee came and landed on the willowherb, cut a section of leaf and left again. I was really surprised. I waited and it came back, took another section and left again, disappearing into the budleia and loganberry bush.
It took a few seconds and once it left again I could see that bee had been a bee had visited a number of times. I haven’t ever noticed holes like that before and realise I have previously pulled these up as weeds before they got to be this pretty and useful! Letting everything grow this year has made a big difference.
(c) K Wicks
MKW Publishing 