Some beautiful nature.
(c) K Wicks
Beauty
insects
Buddleia, bees and butterflies
It has taken a while, but finally the buddleia bush is blooming. Not so much on the purple this year, the white has decided to shine through on this tri coloured variety. Although up until now, it’s only been purple last year, purple and white this year, so not sure where the third colour has gone. The birds kept nipping off the little buds when they appeared in spring, so maybe that did something to affect it. But since it has gone for it, and the weather has warmed again, it has been inundated with bees and butterflies. Red admirals, honey bees, tortoiseshells and bumble bees. Also had a small white yesterday as well. I have finally got the right flowers!
(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
Nature in the garden – 06.06.21
It has been another exciting week for nature in the garden, still lots of flying things it seems. This is for the last week or so and one pic in May I forgot to post, but most all of these are my first time seeing them. I may have given them a glance before, but not that I remember, and not that I noticed. I amazed at just how much there is once you start paying attention and letting the garden grow a bit wilder and by plating a bit more.
I haven’t ever seen one of these hoverflies before, there have been a number of different ones, so of course they will get their own post at some point 🙂
A very small weird looking mayfly, checking out my new little tub pond I put together mid week. It’s a work in progress and a trial run really. We’ll see how that goes.
This is another first – a type of crane fly that looks a bit more special than the ones I see all the time. Nature is great.
A new moth for me, and more exciting because it was in my own garden. This almost looked like a leaf at first, but on second glance I noticed it had wings, and a brilliant blue trim on them. I have now seen another of these, so that’s two in a week (I know it was a second moth and not the first again, because it was smaller).
At first I thought this insect had orange eyes. He was moving quickly and didn’t settle for long. After getting a couple of pics he left. I studies the picture to see what it was having worked out it was a type of bee, and discovered the orange bits appear to be pollen. Must have been a very pollen filled flower he visited before getting to me garden.
I love these colourful little wasps. They are so quick and settle for so little time, it’s a difficult process trying to get a good pic, so this one isn’t great, but as it appeared this week again, I really wanted to get a shot.
I am seeing these almost daily now, they land often and give me plenty of time for shots, but are easily spooked. So I wait and enjoy watching them a while first usually.
Again, not a great pic as it’s another fast moving wasp. Enough to work out what it was though. They are as small and cute looking as the rub-tailed wasp.
This chap did not settle long, enjoying the fully flowering loganberry bush but there wasn’t much left for him it seems as the visit was brief. I’m trying to capture all nature at the moment, rather than wait for a perfect shot or miss it.
Hopefully I will get to see lots more this week, maybe something new, maybe not. That part of what makes nature watching so exciting.
(c) K Wicks
Nature in the garden – 29.05.21
Well, this was a top notch day for nature. Other than the activity at the bee Hotel, there was much occurring elsewhere in the patches and undergrowth.
Started with another bee because they are awesome and all over the bigroot geranium at the moment.
We had a fly stop for an extended shoot, perfectly landing in the sun and waiting for me to get my shot. He landed on the shed too so will get his own post soon.
This was small, not the tiniest I saw making a web, but has some growing to do before it gets to average size.
I know they aren’t bugs, but still daily visitors to the garden. Enjoying the little bench we put up for them.
These little guys were still around and after I put a geranium flower near one, it crawled right on! Have to say, very happy with this photo.
I haven’t actually seen one of these before so was a new find.
I rescued this little weevil from the bird bath, he was floating and trying to hold onto a small bit of something.
I don’t actually know what this one is, it seems to be a type of small parasitic wasp, but was tiny and didn’t stay still so my shots aren’t really good enough for a conclusive ID.
This beautiful red ladybird was just wandering through one of the beds. Hopefully there will be more.
There were a couple of things I couldn’t identify or get a good enough picture of. Baby spiders being very difficult, but this tiny orb weaver is already on it building a web. I’ll keep you updated on garden progress.
(c) K Wicks
Nature in the garden – 27.05.21
Even though I know there are many different insects and species, I still get really excited to see them all. A bit of warmth and sunshine gave everything the long overdue push it needed. I’ll try and showcase the abundant days.
I can’t wait for all the flowers to open and bring more and more to the garden 🌼 roll on summer.
(c) K Wicks
Caterpillars in the garden…
This year has been pretty awesome for caterpillars in the garden. Lucky as I haven’t been out much this year (obviously), but no matter, nature came to me.
Partly I think because I seem to have planted well last year. Planning lots of nasturtiums and getting a couple of fruit plants – gooseberry and blueberry.
Although not much on the fruit, they seem to have attracted a new guest. And one I had not seen before. As it was hairy, I know not to touch! I also have captured a number of moths and butterflies this year which will get their own post. Not as many butterflies as last year for variety, but plenty of large and small whites on the nasturtiums.
(c) K Wicks
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