Sunday, 10 July 2011

A Few Bugs Around the Garden and a Feathered Friend

I thought it was time for a change from my last few posts, so I decided to do a post on the bugs that I have photographed around the garden this year.  I have several followers who are very talented when identifying insects, so although I will give names where I can, I quite expect to be told that they are incorrect!
This caterpillar is that of a Knapweed Fritillary butterfly

No, I was not brave enough to allow this spider on my hand!!  It is on its web, just in front of my fingers. It was the only way I could photograph it, as it was so small and the camera would not focus. My reference book has nothing like this in it, so I have no ideas. Help!
Thanks Lucie the spider is identified as Mangora acalypha.


This beetle was on my holly minding its own business, again I have no identification! My suspicion was correct, and has now been conformed by 3 of my followers and this is the Colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) which is very destructive to potatoes  Thankfully I have not seen any more. Thank you Nadege, Noushka and Roz

Oops, how did I end up on my back?
Someone has tried to roll me over, but now I am playing dead just in case.
Oh well, perhaps I had better try to get back on my feet again!!
This is possibly a Rose Chafer but I am not certain; the head does not look quite right to me. I was right here and confirmed by Noushka, thank you.
Presumably one of the ladybird family - I am not very good at this identification business, am I!!!
Also thanks to Lucie the Ladybug is: Hippodamia variégata
This could be a carpet moth of some kind but........
Again thanks to Lucie - Hemaris fuciformis, the gassed Sphinx moth
Swallowtail, Scarce - Iphiclides podalirius, it looks as if this one has been in the wars as it has lost its 'tails' on both wings
This is a Humming Bird Hawk Moth and I have been trying for several years to take a photo like this.  My camera cannot cope with the high wing speed, and apart from this, they move around far too quickly for me.  This was a lucky shot where the moth momentarily stayed in the same place just long enough for me to catch it in this pose.

As I type this I am listening to the call of the Little Owl. As far as I know there are three of them outside. I have just been out to check and there is one on the roof of our house, one on a nearby telephone pole and the third one is in a tree in the garden.  They have a lot to say this evening and I just love listening to them.  They have been around a lot this year and I am really happy to have them here. The following photo is with thanks to http://www.birdsofberkshire.co.uk/jPEG/DSCN6509-little-owl.jpg
The Little Owl
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100 comments:

  1. Deb from WhatsInMyAttic10 July 2011 at 14:31

    Great photos! I've never actually seen the hummingbird moth but have been told we have a lot of them here. Now I'll know what to look for. I did a short "bug" post yesterday, too, and the big green figeater beetle is known around here as a junebug...although i always knew junebug to be a pretty generic term for any beetle that wasn't the little Japanese beetle. I love trying to get shots of creatures in my yard!

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  2. Jane and Lance Hattatt10 July 2011 at 14:31

    Hello Diane:
    What a diversity of insect life you show us here. We are not very good with creepy crawlies of any kind, either being near them or identifying them, but we do find them fascinating and beautiful.

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  3. Gaelyn10 July 2011 at 15:11

    Nice capture of your local bugs and wonderful to listen to the owls.

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  4. Schnitzel and the Trout10 July 2011 at 15:19

    I don't know my insect names, but I really enjoyed your pictures.

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  5. Diane10 July 2011 at 15:20

    Deb from WhatsInMyAttic most of the humming bird hawk moths seem to be a rusty colour, but we have a few of these green ones around. Other than the colour they are just the same. You can hear the wings humming they move so fast. We have so many different small creatures around here but I have no macro so taking photos is not always easy. Diane

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  6. Diane10 July 2011 at 15:23

    Jane and Lance I am also not very good with creepy crawlies though I am fascinated by them as well. I like butterflies and moths, dragonflies and some of the beetles, but I will never get used to spiders and stick insects!! So long as they keep still I will try to take photos but if a spider moves so do I !!!Diane

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  7. Diane10 July 2011 at 15:43

    Gaelyn I just love the Little Owls they are so cute, they have such a strange call nothing like the usual owl. Diane

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  8. Diane10 July 2011 at 15:44

    Thanks Susan. Despite having bought myself a book on insects I still cannot identify the bugs around here! Diane

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  9. art is in the kitchen10 July 2011 at 16:24

    Oh Diane, this is a lovely,lovely post! Love your collection of beautiful and talented bugs! They will make great subjects for my carving. I could have been an entomologist because I always love to study insects since childhood. Fascinating creatures just buzzing around the garden!
    Your posts Diane are a breath of fresh air always! Cheers!!!!

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  10. Terrianne, Call me Ree10 July 2011 at 16:45

    Diane, I absolutely love insects. I used to collect them myself. Tucked away from the rest of the city of Boston in the last house on a dead end street surrounded by many trees and greenery gives my access to bugs and birds I might not be able to experience were I living some place more "cityfied". =)

    Your pictures are lovely!

    9 months and 10 days pregnant. Even though he's ready for the world, it seems as though my baby isn't yet ready to leave me. Which just thrills me! I'm actually not due until July 27th, my birthday. So, it could happen any time within the next hour through that day. =) <3

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  11. Amanda10 July 2011 at 17:02

    I think it is a doryphore in photos #4 and #5.
    Bad news for your potatoes if there are too many doryphores.

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  12. Diane10 July 2011 at 17:05

    michelangelo thanks as always for your very kind comments. I can imagine that bugs give you some great ideas for your carvings. Take care Diane

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  13. Diane10 July 2011 at 17:11

    Ree great to hear from you. I am amazed that you are still around and that your baby has not been born yet!! Maybe he will be a birthday present for you. Take care and look after yourself, and the baby of course.

    Glad you enjoyed this post. Diane

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  14. Diane10 July 2011 at 17:13

    Nadege I did wonder if it was a Colorado Beetle but I have only seen the one around. Hopefully there are no more and my potatoes seem fine other than the extreme lack of water!! Diane

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  15. This is Belgium10 July 2011 at 17:58

    I know absolutely NOTHING about the subject, but enjoy your photos

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  16. Vera10 July 2011 at 18:15

    We have a plethora of insects around too, some biting, some not, some munching on the brassicas quite happily, others looking innocent but are probably up to some mischief. Lovely photo of that humming moth. They fascinate me the way they hover, just like a humming bird!

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  17. Kitchen Stories10 July 2011 at 18:24

    Great photos!

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  18. Diane10 July 2011 at 18:27

    Anni I don't know much either, ha ha, but I still like taking photos of them. Diane

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  19. Diane10 July 2011 at 18:43

    Vera I am sure we have more than our share of biting insects but I never seem to see them!! I was very happy with this picture of the humming bird hawk moth with a cheap camera, it did though take me a long time to get it !! Diane

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  20. Diane10 July 2011 at 18:44

    KitchenStories, thanks for the comment, Have a good day. Diane

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  21. Joyful10 July 2011 at 21:38

    You've got some great photos there Diane. Just awesome!

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  22. Diane10 July 2011 at 21:57

    Thanks Joyful, I am not that good with insects but it makes a change from time to time :-) Diane

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  23. Craig10 July 2011 at 22:02

    You did a great job of photographing those guys Diane.
    I really like the ladybird - they just seem so much less "threatening" to me than other bugs!
    Good post!

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  24. Diane10 July 2011 at 22:10

    Thanks Craig. The humming bird hawk moth is my favourite (besides the Little Owl, but I also love the lady bird family. Some of the others can do so much damage :-( Diane

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  25. Purabi Naha11 July 2011 at 11:22

    The post is very interesting with those bugs and the owl! You captured them so well!!
    http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com

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  26. Diane11 July 2011 at 11:55

    Thanks Purabi Naha for the kind comments. Have a good week. Diane

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  27. Stina11 July 2011 at 14:07

    Nice post.:-) Hugs Stina

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  28. Diane11 July 2011 at 14:42

    Thanks Stina, Have a good week. Diane

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  29. Fernando Santos (Chana)11 July 2011 at 14:54

    Belas fotografias...Espectacular....
    Cumprimentos

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  30. Diane11 July 2011 at 15:02

    Fernando Santos (Chana,Saudações, obrigado pelo comentário. Diane

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  31. Mary Bergfeld11 July 2011 at 16:41

    You are a renaissance woman. You are as talented with the camera as you are with a hammer and paint brush. These are fantastic photos. I'll admit to a bit of envy. Have a wonderful day, Diane. Blessings...Mary

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  32. Becca's Dirt11 July 2011 at 17:15

    Love to hear the soothing sounds of the birds. Hope you have a good day.

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  33. Diane11 July 2011 at 18:11

    Mary thanks so much for you very kind comments but really when things go right for me, especially with the camera, there is a lot of luck attached to it. You do not see how many pictures that get deleted!! Today has been a manual labour day moving earth so no photos! Diane

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  34. Diane11 July 2011 at 18:12

    Becca I could sit in the garden for hours on end if only I had the time!! Because I feed the birds there are always plenty around and the 'music' never stops. Take care and have a good week. Diane

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  35. Pam11 July 2011 at 18:16

    My kids loved this post! The owl is beautiful.

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  36. Joyti11 July 2011 at 18:38

    Amazing, we pass by these creatures all the time, and ignore them most of that time. They're lovely, great pictures - especially the beatles.

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  37. Diane11 July 2011 at 19:06

    Pam glad your kids approved :-) The owl is just delightful, and although I hear them on and off from time to time during the day and the night, it seems that at 22h30 they are almost always at our house. As it is still fairly light and only heading for twilight at the moment then, I get to see them quite well. Diane

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  38. Diane11 July 2011 at 19:07

    Indie.Tea thanks. You are right, how many of these creatures do we miss while walking around our gardens? Take care Diane

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  39. GaynorB11 July 2011 at 21:43

    I'm not much help with identification Diane, but super pics!

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  40. Diane11 July 2011 at 22:12

    Thanks GaynorB, there are just so many insects around and unless you know what you are doing identification is very difficult!!!! Never the less I still like taking photos of them. Diane

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  41. My Farmhouse Kitchen11 July 2011 at 22:52

    i would give ANYTHING to have that owl in my garden....

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  42. F Cameron11 July 2011 at 22:53

    I saw your comment on Rob's Dordogne blog, so I had to come here to read about your gardening in the Charente. We vacation in France every year, but haven't yet made it to your region.

    Recently, I was able to get a good photo of a clearwing hummingbird moth (hemaris thysbe) and posted it on my blog. It was visiting blazing star (liatris ligulistylis). I hate to leave a link in a comment, but you can probably find the June 2011 article on my blog if you want to see it.

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  43. Happy Frog and I12 July 2011 at 00:22

    What incredible photos. I particularly liked the Humming Bird Hawk Moth, though they were all lovely and lady birds are definitely my favourite. :-)

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  44. Nadji12 July 2011 at 01:34

    Tes photos sont superbes. Merci pour toutes ces précisions.
    See soon.

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  45. Jen (emsun.org)12 July 2011 at 12:25

    Great photos of the bugs! I've been meaning to do the same in my yard and have just been too distracted by other things to sit down for a few minutes and do it.

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  46. Diane12 July 2011 at 12:51

    Nadji. Merci pour votre visite et commentaire. A tres bientôt. Diane

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  47. Diane12 July 2011 at 12:53

    My Farmhouse Kitchen You have no idea how happy I am to have them around the garden :-) There is also a tawny Owl that I hear from time to time so it must be nesting around here somewhere. Diane

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  48. Diane12 July 2011 at 13:03

    Hi Cameron, thanks for your visit. Yes I did find your June photo of the hawk moth, beautiful. Hope to see you back sometime Take care Diane

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  49. Diane12 July 2011 at 13:05

    Hi Froggy, yes the humming bird hawk moth was my favourite as well, but I also liked the ladybird. The owls though I just love. Hope all well over there. Diane xx

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  50. Diane12 July 2011 at 13:16

    Hi Jen thank you for visiting. I know the feeling I get distracted with every turn I make!! I am supposed to be making courgette pickle right at this moment so I had better get back to it!!! Diane

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  51. LindyLouMac12 July 2011 at 14:56

    What a fun bug post, I am either not as observant as you or we have nothing like the variety. I did capture in a shot a swallowtail this am but not with open wings, you must have been very patient to get that shot.

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  52. lena12 July 2011 at 16:20

    your garden is surrounded by all these creatures?! i'm worse than you, i think i would even have diffiluty trying to figure out what insect are those..ha! nice shot, anyway!

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  53. Diane12 July 2011 at 16:20

    Linda I am the most impatient person in the world :-) That was an interesting shot as it had obviously had its wings zapped by some bird or something. The one I took that is in my side panel is much better. There are plenty of bugs around, but between my impatients and a cheap camera when I do get decent photos there is a massive amount of luck attached to it :-) Diane

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  54. Diane12 July 2011 at 16:23

    Lena if you walk around quietly and look for the slightest movement you see all sorts of creatures around the garden. Identifying them (for me) is quite a different story!! Diane

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  55. Unknown12 July 2011 at 17:35

    Wonderful set of shots, Diane! Love all the bugs and the owl too, of course.

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  56. Diane12 July 2011 at 17:47

    Thanks JM, I am really enjoying listening to the owls each night. Diane

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  57. Jenny Woolf12 July 2011 at 17:50

    My favourite is the green bug that couldn't get the right way up- I love that sheen on its carapace. (if that is the right word) (?)

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  58. Diane12 July 2011 at 19:51

    Hi Jenny thanks for visiting. I have no idea if that is the right word for a beetle, but I know it applies to shell fish. Whatever, I know what you mean and I agree the colour is beautiful. Have a good weekend Diane

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  59. Anonymous12 July 2011 at 20:02

    Wow, these are incredible, you know your way around a camera unlike me.
    Have just spotted the delish recipe below..must investigate!

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  60. Diane12 July 2011 at 20:56

    Bourbon&Pearls, I have no idea how to use a camera!! It is a supermarket special that I just happen to get a few good shots out of the many that I take!!!! That last recipe was brilliant, I will certainly be making it again. Take care Diane

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  61. Marjie12 July 2011 at 23:52

    I'm the little dummy who shrieks when she sees bugs. But I do love your little owl! We have an owl or 2 around here; I hear them at night.

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  62. Diane13 July 2011 at 08:24

    Ha ha Marjie, I have learnt what you are like with bugs!!! The owl is just so lovely, but it has an odd call, nothing like the typical owl call. The tawny owl though sounds typical when I hear it. Diane

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  63. Paul and Roz13 July 2011 at 08:47

    Caterpillars,beware of processionary ones evil things, kill and destroy, if you have nests, look like cobwebs in the trees destroy, be sure to wear a mask, best way is to burn them, keep all animals and children away from them. eating just a few of these will kill a dog.
    Shield bugs, or stink bugs, kind of cute eh.
    Paul

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  64. Paul and Roz13 July 2011 at 08:52

    Your beetle looks like the Colorado beetle, not a good thing to have http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_potato_beetle they will destroy your crops.

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  65. Noushka13 July 2011 at 10:09

    Hello Diane!
    Lovely series!
    The first beetle below the spider is:
    Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
    You've got right for the Rose chafer (Cetonia aurata)
    I don't have the time to check your ladybug but is one the many species!
    Your Humming Bird Hawk Moth is stunning too!
    Well done!
    You seem to have many friends in your garden!
    Just be careful with the "potato beetle" if you grow...potatoes! They are terribly destructive!
    Cheers,
    XXXXX

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  66. Diane13 July 2011 at 10:14

    Paul and Roz, thanks for your interest. I never see anything other than the odd caterpillar around and I hope that it stays that way! I have already mentioned that the beetle looks like a Colorado beetle in one of my answers earlier on. It is the only one I have seen and I have kept my eyes open in case. That one was nowhere near the vegetables either, but of course it could have gone in that direction after! I have not seen it again though. Diane

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  67. lejardindelucie13 July 2011 at 10:39

    Bonjour Diane,
    Une superbe collection dans votre jardin!Quelques noms : l'araignée est une Mangora acalypha, très jolie!
    La coccinelle : Hippodamia variégata
    Le papillon sphinx:Hemaris fuciformis, le Sphinx gazé! Bravo pour la photo, c'est vraiment difficile de réussir à une bonne image.
    Vos petites chevêches me font rêver, quelle jolie compagnie!

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  68. Diane13 July 2011 at 11:28

    Thanks Noushka, Lucie has done the looking up for both of us and I have added the names to the post. Thankfully that was the only Colorado beetle I have seen and I have checked my potatoes very carefully. Next door grow more that I do so perhaps that is a better feeding ground!! I will watch out again next year! Take care and thanks for the help. Diane

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  69. Diane13 July 2011 at 11:33

    Lucie, Merci beaucoup pour les indentifications. J'ai ajouté sur mon blog. J'aime les petites chevêches, elles sont belles. Diane x

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  70. Fresh Garden13 July 2011 at 11:35

    Nice post!
    Nice pics!
    Nice bugs!
    Thanks for sharing, I truly enjoyed the visit. :)

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  71. Diane13 July 2011 at 15:52

    Fresh Garden. Thanks so much for your visit and your kind comments. You have some very interesting posts on your blog. Glad you enjoyed your visit. Diane

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  72. MARCO PASHA13 July 2011 at 16:15

    As usual great photography Diane. You captured hat hummingbird in flight, how amazing! It shows how talented a photographer you are.

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  73. Diane13 July 2011 at 17:34

    Thanks Marco Pasha but I don't think there is much talent there, just luck when I get a decent shot out of all I take !!! I have been trying for the humming bird moth for many moons. Diane

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  74. Dolly13 July 2011 at 21:20

    Diane those are lovely photos! I really enjoyed them all, I don't mind bugs at all tho I absolutely am terrified of snakes. Aren't your friends clever, knowing all the names! Your property in France sounds so peaceful and relaxing.

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  75. Diane13 July 2011 at 21:34

    Thanks Dolly. I am OK with some bugs but I stay away from spiders and stick insects, give me a snake any day :-) I think this is the most relaxing place, despite masses of work to do, that I have ever lived! Hope you had a good trip home. Good to have you back. Diane x

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  76. Dolly13 July 2011 at 21:39

    Even a photo of a snake makes me freeze in fear, so I appreciate the warnings you show on your blog Diane! Yes had a brilliant 5 days, meeting Froggy was the icing on my birthday cake! Now I am recuperating and catching up on lost sleep! I should be back blogging with tales of London soon-ish :) before a friend arrives from Britanny on Saturday!!!

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  77. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen14 July 2011 at 14:46

    Fabulous photos Diane. I am much too squeamish to get near bugs, even good gardening bugs. To heck whether you know their names or not. You are one brave gardener.
    Sam

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  78. Diane14 July 2011 at 15:06

    Sam I am just fine with bugs and snakes, just don't put spiders, praying mantis or stick insects near me, not brave at all!!! Diane

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  79. Andrea14 July 2011 at 17:24

    You have some very good shots in these post.
    I really love the Humming Bird Moth.
    When I was a child I called it "Big Nose" and I was used to wait for it,on my mother's flowers, in the late evening.

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  80. Rosaria Williams14 July 2011 at 17:28

    Easy does it for me! I love to watch these critters, but I wouldn't pick them up either, ever since I get a big swell just pruning roses. I did enjoy all the variety you showed, and the knowledge your readers brought to bear.

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  81. Hélène (Cannes)14 July 2011 at 17:35

    I usually don't like insects at all but I love your pictures ! ;o)
    Hélène

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  82. Diane14 July 2011 at 20:49

    Hi Andrea, I love the idea of the 'big nose' can see me using that now for the rest of time, it is very apt! Have a good weekend Diane

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  83. Christine's Pantry14 July 2011 at 20:52

    Great post! Love the photos. The owl is beautiful.

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  84. Diane14 July 2011 at 20:52

    Rosaria I have some followers who are very talented when it comes to identification. I find it very difficult to identify these bugs. take care Diane

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  85. Diane14 July 2011 at 21:02

    Thanks Hélène, I am quite happy to photograph them while in the garden. I don't like them in the house and I can only handle some of them!!! Diane

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  86. Diane14 July 2011 at 21:04

    Christine's Pantry, thanks for the kind comments, I agree the owl is quite stunning. I love having them around. Take care Diane

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  87. Peggy15 July 2011 at 01:07

    I definitely wouldn't be brave enough to photograph any of these bugs closely!

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  88. Diane15 July 2011 at 08:06

    Peggy other than the spider the others were not a problem. I will never live to like eight legged insects :-) Diane

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  89. magda15 July 2011 at 14:17

    Diane, congratulations!!!!
    You are a big photo-talent!!!!
    Fantastic photos!!!
    I wish you a happy summer,why am away from the Internet, until September.
    Sorry about that.
    Many greetings

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  90. Cuisine de Provence15 July 2011 at 14:56

    Lovely little beasts!

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  91. Diane15 July 2011 at 16:13

    Magda, thanks for the kind comments and good wishes. I hope you have a fantastic holiday, we will be here when you return in September :-) Take care. Diane

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  92. Diane15 July 2011 at 16:14

    Cuisine de Provence well some of them are!!! Diane

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  93. Olga15 July 2011 at 20:42

    I consider butterflies and birds some of the most difficult subjects to photograph. It's wonderful that you have managed to take such a photo of the hummingbird. I love owls. We have one in the neighbourhood, hooting in the evening :)

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  94. Diane15 July 2011 at 21:29

    Olga I have to admit to being impressed with myself getting that hummingbird hawk moth with my little camera!!! I love listening to the owls but the little owl has a completely different call to a normal owl, it sounds almost like a kitten calling! Diane

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  95. My Little Space16 July 2011 at 05:37

    Oooo... thanks so much for posting this! It has been a hectic week. I'm glad at least I'm feeling good by lookng at these pictures. Nice shoot!
    Kristy

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  96. Chubskulit Rose17 July 2011 at 01:26

    You've got some beautiful critters in your garden. I am not into worms but those bugs are cute.

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  97. Diane17 July 2011 at 09:04

    Kristy, glad you enjoyed the pictures, bugs always take me a long time to take photos of!! Diane

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  98. Diane17 July 2011 at 09:05

    chubskulit thanks, some are cute but others...... Diane

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  99. Two fit and fun gals4 August 2011 at 03:00

    great photos but i hate bugs!

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  100. Diane4 August 2011 at 08:52

    Two fit and fun gals thanks for the comment and the visit. As long as bugs stay outside I am happy with them, I don't like them in the house!! Diane

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