For interesting information on flowers, trees and plants please click on this link: http://natureswow2.blogspot.com/

For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa: please click on the following links:
Insects and related species: Antlions - Ants - Bees - Beetles - Bugs - Butterflies, Moths and Caterpillars - Centipedes and Millipedes - Cockroaches - Crickets - Dragonflies and Damselflies - Grasshoppers and Katydids - Mantis - Stick Insects - Ticks and Mites - Wasps - Woodlice
Plants, Trees, Flowers: (Note: Unless plants fall into a specific species such as Cacti, they have been classified by their flower colour to make them easier to find) Bonsai - Cacti, Succulents, Aloes, Euplorbia - Ferns and Cycads - Flowers - Fungi, Lichen and Moss - Grass - Trees
Animals, Birds, Reptiles etc.: Animals, Birds, Fish and Crabs - Frogs - Lizards - Scorpions - Snails and Slugs - Snakes - Spiders - Tortoise, Turtles and Terrapins - Whipscorpions
Other photography: Aeroplanes - Cars and Bikes - Travel - Sunrise - Water drops/falls - Sudwala and Sterkfontein Caves etc.
Videos: YouTube

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Odds and ends - Part 10

He sure is lumpy!! If it was not for the legs I would think him a nut of some kind.
Mating season for the beetles on Acacia flowers.
A pretty corner of someones garden.
The Hibiscus always make a wonderful show here and they come in the most beautiful colours. Click here for some interesting info and more pictures of them.
What a gorgeous rose!!
A wild flower, small and so perfect.
This butterfly is tiny, about the size of a 1c piece.

36 comments:

Food, Fun and Life in the Charente said...

I just love that lumpy little fellow:) Great pictures. Diane

troutbirder said...

I wish I could grow hibiscus here. Such lovely plants.

Gaelyn said...

That lumpy spider sure does look like a nut. Wonder if it tastes good. LOL! Nice collection of flowers and insects. You must be digging into the archives with it being winter there.

Zane said...

I like the lumpy beetle photograph - also the tiny "blue" butterfly is great.

I had the good fortune to capture the same species of butterfly, but with wings open - maybe an idea to post it tonight - blue colour is evident.

Steve Borichevsky said...

The butterfly looks like one of our hair streaks. It is pretty cool that you got it before the tails became damaged.

That lumpy beetle looks pretty funky!

Philip said...

I love the shot of the NUT beetle Joan I have never seen this one before :)

Firefly said...

That first bug is really unusual looking, but the prize for best pic in the post must go to the second pic of the mating bugs.

Krista said...

They are all so cool! I have never seen anything like any of the bugs you've posted here.

The flowers are so magnificent. Hibiscus are my favourite I think! I have a great hibiscus right beside my desk (about five feet to the right of me right now) that is almost always in bloom. Right now there are three giant pink blooms. The red you've shown here is so vibrant. Love 'em all! :o)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Diane. Those lumps remind me of myself. LOL!!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

They do prefer the warmer climates TB and it is a pity they cannot grow elsewhere.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! Thanks Gaelyn but I for one do not want to go tasting this one. Kind of crunchy I would think. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Zane. I do have pictures of them with open wings too but this was nice for a change showing their eyes on the wings.

I will get to you post soon but I know I am a bit behind on everything. What a way to start the week!! :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I like that name Philip. As it does not have a common name, that suites it just fine. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I have noticed that there is not much difference between the species Steve. I think that this one is so small he would not make a decent meal so the predators leave him alone. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jonker. Nothing seems to disturb them when mating not even my camera getting close. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Krista. We have such wonderful bugs here.

I would love to see a picture of your hibiscus. I thought it would be too cold there for them or can they only grow indoors?

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: BTW: Craig would think you did swell also.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: I love that clay spider you made, it is a beauty. Such detail and time you went through.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Tom. Well the whole idea of the claymations was his so I had to get good enough to fool him. :)

Craig Glenn said...

Love the butterfly BL!!!

Tom, Remember when she used to get upset about our Clamation critique's but you can see the level of perfection she has now reached! Fooling everybody with the photo's that appear soooooo real!!!

Craig Glenn

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: Your really did a fine job.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! Well You did not leave me much choice Craig. It was either improve or get caught out. LOL!!

Thanks Tom. It took lots of patience and hard work. I really sweated with this one to get it perfect. LOL!!

It seems I almost had both of you fooled with this one. :)

Shelley said...

I thought that spider was dragging a walnut behind him - lol! Then I thought it also looks like a big ole brain - very interesting creature! Enjoyed the flowers and also the butterfly w/ the 2 eyes on the back of his wings.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! Those were my thoughts too when I first saw him Shelly but it does look very brain-like too. :) Thanks.

JM said...

What an amazing find (2nd shot)! And just look at the top bug's body!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jose. I think that body would be well disquised in the sand and will make it very hard to find. We really do have amazing creatures here.

Mary said...

Wonderful lumpy nut-like bug :-) That rose is gorgeous! Love the little beautiful butterfly. Those tiny ones can be so hard to photograph, but this is a perfect shot.

Anna said...

Joan that creature on the first photo, has definitely a wow factor. You are right if did not have the legs, it does look kind of like a peanut. Excellent images, sharpness is amazing. Anna :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is the first time I have found one like this Mary even though it is quite large and visible. Thanks, I had to sneak up on the butterfly again. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Anna. I wonder if he tastes like a nut too? :)

Kenneth Ramos said...

That beetle or whatever it is, looks more like a seed of some kind to me. Any idea as to what it actually is? :o)

Rambling Woods said...

I needed you to help when I was crawling under our hammock to capture a little summer azure butterfly..I posted it..but not happy with it....Michelle

SeamusMcDufus Fizgig said...

All Brilliant as usual, Joan

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Seamus. I sent you an e-mail icw your web but have not had a reply. Maybe it is still floating around cyberspace so I will resend it. :)

Becky and Gary said...

Love all of these Joan. Of course the Butterfly is my favorite.
Interesting little lumpy spider too. Your pictures are amazing!
Perfect Rose, and I hope the beetles won't eat my Hibiscus!
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky. Spray it with soapy water. This helps keep the insects off. It is interesting to hear you have one as TB was saying it is too cold by him to grow.