Quite a change to the usual situation where I see a butterfly and they immediately sense my excitement and leave. Or they are often just passing through, as they do. But this one stayed for a while, even moving onto different plants and a leaves and waiting for me to take a shot. First three pics are from this month, the last one is from last year when it was the lavendar tempting them in. The buddleia has now established itself, so hopefully that will give them plenty to stop by for.
It dawned on me that I frequently see pictures of crab spiders hiding under the petals of flowers, so thought I would go and give the calendula a look. It really is the flower that keeps on giving. There it was, just hiding under the petals as expected. I had to wait for it to come out, and contend with a very windy day. Nothing was staying still, but still I tried.
He didn’t seem happy once he spotted me and I have to give up and come back later. We was there for a couple of days until the flower was spent, so I did get my opportunity for a good shot.
This time he didn’t seem to mind being photographed and just waited, I was most pleased.
After the bee in the calendula, I turned around, and there was a small white on the buudleia (which finally has bloomed after being repeatedly clipped by the birds!).
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.
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.
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 cherry tree muncher
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.
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.
MKW Publishing 