Sunday 17 August 2008

Sunday safari....

A mist hung over the garden early this morning.....
spiders had left their artwork carefully positioned between the flower stems.....

It wasn't long before the sun came out.......


and the birds....
butterflies.......
and hoverflies, started their day.......



I also managed to capture our largest wasp, the hornet.........it is very rare now due to persecution and the felling of old trees.........I think we may have a nest in the old apple tree.......I have had hornets in the garden ever since I moved here......I do not see them as a problem provided you just let them be...........in fact while taking this photograph I had several buzzing around me.....I took my photograph and left them in peace.........if you look at the photograph they are in fact quite beautiful (at least I think they are).....
And this capture I believe to be the wolf spider........she is nomadic by nature.....she does not spin a web but hunts her victims on the ground....... she carries her young with her for a week, held in a white silk sac........when the spiderlings are due to hatch she spins a nursery web, which you can see in the photograph, she then places the sac in the web for the babies to hatch........if you look to the left of the picture you can see a ball of spiders..... I know many of you are frightened of spiders, but they do a good job in our gardens.....they do take good bugs but also the bad. By leaving creatures to roam free in our gardens we achieve a healthy balance. Many of you tell me you like my garden....I am an organic gardener, I never spray or use any chemicals in this space....I had blackfly in the garden at the beginning of spring, I left it, nature took care of it.....by the end of May it had all disappeared............when the earth began, everything was finely balanced, it is man who has created the problems.....in my own, small way, I am trying to make a difference, I have seen huge changes in this garden since I moved here, there is far more wildlife now and it increases every year................. I look forward to the years ahead.........what do you have in your garden that helps the wildlife?????




15 comments:

beckie said...

Cheryl, I have come to enjoy your Sunday Safari so much! I love all the little critters you find. Aren't the spider webs shimmering wih droplets nature's own art display? Even if they are made by (ugh!) spiders. Is that butterfly the little Blue? They are so delicate looking. Take care and enjoy your week -I know you will be out there with nature.

Rose said...

Cheryl, I always learn so much from your insect posts. Who would have thought a year ago I would have thought a hornet was beautiful, LOL!
I've never minded spiders...I know that they are a friend in the garden. Another friend I have is the praying mantis--I found 5 on one plant today! That has to be a record--I'm going to try to post some photos of them this week.

I am more and more reluctant to use any chemicals. I bought some Sevin to control my squash beetles, but still haven't sprayed the plant, for fear I might kill some bees. Oh well, there's only so much yellow squash you can eat anyway:)

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie.....the butterfly is the cabbage white....still lovely though....

I to love the spiders webs, they are such works of art.....

Have a great week to.....

Cheryl said...

Rose....I am so proud of you, the fact that you have not used your spray yet is great.....even if you do decide to use in the future, you are thinking about it first....GREAT. I cannot wait to see the praying mantis....how wonderful, I really like them, wish we had them here.....
The hornet is beautiful, it is our own fears that stop us from seeing how wonderful nature is....when we relax, we start to enjoy everything around us more.....

Q said...

My Dear Cheryl,
While you rest I will take over the soap box! I also love all the critters, Black Flies and Hornets and the amazing Silverfish.
Your spider web is beautiful! I enjoyed learning about the Wolf Spider and her spiderlings.
The world of bugs is a world of amazing critters.
Thank you for a fun Safari!
In to the wilds of our own backyards,
Sherry

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry......nature is so interesting and amazing......there is always something new to learn....I to love all the bugs.....

Our safari's are such good fun.....

Rusty in Miami said...

Excellent post, I am in total agreement with you. I used to kill the wasp nest in my garden but now I let them be

Ruth said...

The spider web is spectacular. Most members of our family are not insect fans. I am coming to appreciated their place in the scheme of things.

Cheryl said...

Hi Rusty....that is news that gladdens my heart.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Ruth......everything has a place in the grand scheme, it is good to know your views are changing.....

Wendy said...

Hi Cheryl, so much good information on the wolf spider - it's fascinating! I thought all spiders were the same, but this one is quite unique!

I loved your pic of the spider's web. It was really clear and sparkly. I'm not frightened of harmless spiders, I like them. So soft and gentle with feathery legs.

Your butterfly seemed to perk up just for the photo.

I do agree with you on the balance of nature. If we just leave her alone, she will balance things as they're meant to be.

Libbys Blog said...

Your first couple of pics make it seem like autumn!!! Scary really!
We have hornets in our garden too, no idea where they nest though! But they are enormous!

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

That has to be the most stunningly beautiful spider's web that I've every seen. You captured it wonderfully!!!!

Cindy

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Lovely post Cheryl which I enjoyed very much. My garden has undergone a lot a changes since it became my garden. It used to be a desert of lawn, lawn and more lawn. Now there are shrubs, fruit trees and lots of flowers. Soon there will be a pond too. And I have a corner of my garden with a heap of branches and stuff where the hedgehogs and insects can overwinter. Last weekend we found a wasp's nest in the ground and decided to leave it there. We don't bother them and they certainly haven't bothered us. Live and let live!

Dawny P said...

That misty photo and the spiders web are just fabulous - they are 2 of my all time faves of yours Cheryl. They are both stunning. I can't look at the frog pics though (sorry xx) as I have a thing about them. But I bet they are wonderful photos. Hope you and yours are all well xxxx