Looking Closely - Critters in the Garden

I adore being in the garden, just being still, and watching it change through the seasons. There has been plenty of time to contemplate it whilst watering this summer, and plenty to see. 

An unremarkable picture, can you spot anything interesting in this photo? Look closely. 

 This brown stick insect blends in perfectly with the brown flower stems of sprawling blue bells going to seed. I couldn't resist bringing it inside to show the kids, we don't see stick insects everyday at our house. I love the way nature always has a surprise for us. There was so much joy in watching the slightly spooky, Tim Burton like antics of a stick insect.

 

The same day Mr Bowerbird found a Rhinoceros Beetle (or perhaps a dung beetle) with the little Bowerbird.

 A praying mantis was climbing our curtains tonight, brought in on a shoulder or bag. I was too tired to grab the camera but its antics were so full of attitude, it was completely ready to take on my partners finger as he cupped his hand to take it outside. So pleased they don't come in human size, they are really formidable up close, and I still can't believe the female will eat its partners head after mating, it does seem extraordinarily harsh.

I love watching ant antics (and illiteration). This small ant was so determined to take this dead but wonderfully iridescent landhopper home for dinner,  I didn't see it find the nest but it was a very slow journey. If I could lift proportionally the same weight I'd be very happy, no struggling with wet bags of manure and large pots.

There are a lot of ants hanging out on these everlasting daisies, I think they may be gathering its ripening seed. I scattered some of it around the garden one summer, only to see it moving of its own volition an hour later, carried along by little ants hiding under fluffy parasols.

A less than favourite visiting critter has been the March fly, or I could rename it the December/January/ February fly as it has been ever present this summer. I saw our dog curl his lip at one recently, I know how he feels, that bite is rather nasty, at least they are slow and you usually get a chance to seek revenge (and they can't bite through boots).

For many of the insects in the garden I can only look and wonder, what is it? what is it eating? where does it live? why is it here now?  I think the above picture is of another type of fly but I have no idea which one or what it is up to. Entomology must be a fascinating career. So fun to share the hunt and wonder with our kids, they are just as often pointing to something new to us as we to them.

Making Me Smile in the Garden

Almost no aphids left on the maple, the lady bird larvae are everywhere, I can't wait to see a mass of red and black spots. Apparently the larvae can eat up to 350 aphids before they become a beetle.  The kids and I have been watching the larvae multiply and prosper, some seem much bigger than a ladybird. So fun following the ladybug life cycle, we're on the lookout for pupa.

We have also been visiting this critter daily. He's big and easy to find, it's a wonder he hasn't been pecked off his perch but perhaps those hairs are a put off.

 I think this is a type of native bee, I'm always excited to find them in the garden.

 I love Blue Bells, this one is in our garden, and there are many in the bush around us.

more amazing facts about ladybirds here

 

Did you know there are over 500 species of ladybird in Australia?, or that yellow stuff you get on you when holding one is called "reflex blood', its smelly and designed to deter predators ewwww!

 hope this means lots of lemons

 Silverbeet giants

   mystery lupins, what colour will the be?

 Just gave this daisy a hard prune but there is still one in full bloom , they are a hive of activity.  

My eldest cooked dinner for me tonight, she even figured out what to make which is the bit I hate.  This meant I could begin to give the garden a big overhaul - much needed after all the spring growth. There's a weed party going on around here and I didn't send out any invitations.

  

Spring has sprung part two, Hakea and bugs

Australian native bees, its such a rare joy to see these little fellows, the  bigger European honey bee has taken many of their homes. This is the earliest time of year I have seen them here.  I love it that they have no stingers.

Hover flies , my wonderful aphid eating friends 

 Fly hiding something special under those wings

 Pollination at work

A metallic blue hairy bottom! Not sure if this is the fly of the "Running around like a blue arse fly" fame, that likes to lay its eggs on sheeps bottoms. See Auslang for more details. It looked much too sexy for such lowly acts.

Green arse fly

 

 Plain old but lovely honey making European Honey bee

We planted this Hakea about five years ago and it is at its glorious best right now.  All the bugs think so too.