Yellow Centered

Less fog, more ice in the a.m. By afternoon the sun was high. At least one bee braved the cold.

One year ago: Give Peas a Chance

Two years ago: The Watcher in the Wood

The Landscape Therapist...

hopes to return to normality and photography on January 1. Yes, that's next year. Until then, here's hoping the rest of 2010 doesn't leave any of us hanging upside down.

Lotsa Spots

I think this is an Asian import, the Harmonia axyridis. Yes, it's a ladybug. Yes it's cute but it's also nonnative and drives native ladybugs out.

Green Guard

Our resident mantis, if it's the same one, has gotten much bigger this summer. I'm a little concerned about the black spot on one of its legs. No eggplants have appeared but the plant should be pest free.

Xylocopa virginica?

I saw these bees in the butterfly garden as well as all over any other flowers I happened upon. They seem hairier than a carpenter bee but I can't figure out what else they might be. So, until I learn otherwise, I'll think of them as Xylocopa virginica.

Stained Glass

The butterfly garden lived up to its name. Primarily, monarchs were taking advantage of the floral offerings. There were lots of big, fat bees too.

Eastern Cousin

Here's an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail that I snapped just before a thunder shower began. I wish I could have gotten some better pictures so I could compare it with its cousins in the West. Next trip, perhaps.

Juvies

Harlequin bugs are infesting all of the mustard weeds along the river. It's interesting how different the patterns are on the juveniles as compared to the adults. Despite the bugs, the day was gorgeous, cooler and breezy and it was great to get out for a walk.

Fairy Tales

There's a small dragonfly in silhouette under one of the leaves (click the picture to make it bigger). Or maybe it's a fairy? Why not.

Mantis Egg Case

I wonder how long until the baby mantises hatch. They're above a window so they don't blend in particularly well. Makes it easier for me.

Cabbageworms A-Comin' Soon

And then it caught a bee...

Not only does the flowering oregano attract bees, it also attracts bee predators. This two-inch long praying mantis was hanging out waiting for dinner. A honeybee was the meal.

Pointy

As one might suspect, my garden has many pollinator-friendly flowers. The bees don't mind crawling around on the echinacea even though the centers are rather sharp. And, here's a gratuitous shot of green tomatoes in the background.

Green Day

Please Release Me

After carefully spritzing all my plants with water after dark, I released the ladybugs. Some of them started marching up my legs (I guess I looked like a plant) and I didn't notice until they'd gotten quite far. Goodbye aphids.

It's Cooler in the Shade

Really hot again today so that air conditioning is almost mandatory. We got going early so we could soak the garden without melting. The tiny bees were happy to hang out on the agapanthus.

Wasp or Cuckoo?

This bug racket I have going is highly frustrating. If the picture isn't clear, I can't make an i.d. (and if it's clear, there's still no guarantee). Today was the warmest-feeling day of the year, so far.

Yes, Another Bee

And yet another species that I can't quite pin down. It was almost cool outside today. Very nice for the last day of spring.

Which Bee?

This is a small bee and I'm not completely convinced that it's a bumble bee. I can't figure out what species it belongs to. It was very pleased with the lavender and the borage.














BONUS: Bee Movie! Brought to you by artichoke cam (click below).

Sweet Green Sweat Bee

What a silly common name for a cool little bee--Agapostemon is better. This year they're drawn to the oregano blooms. Many other bee species are right there with them.