Sunday 9 August 2009

Sunday Safari.

I have a wasps nest in my garden......
I showed Poppi and Riley yesterday......they are learning to respect the insects that live here. Wasps can be dangerous....

Poor bee.....so tattered and torn......it has been a long summer......


Lots of ladybirds....they have flown in from the continent. They are looking for aphids......



so are the lacewings.......
Asters are popular with insects. Even flies have their uses.
I do love hoverflies......the gardeners friend....I have many and I am happy......

The bush cricket would not come out to play. He had his mind on other things. I am glad he joined me for Sunday safari........
I will not be around much this week. I am having a week with family.......trips to the seaside......we have kites to fly......rock pools to explore...........cliff tops to walk. Riley and Poppi will have fun....their Uncle is joining us. I love it when we all get together. A rare event.....but more special for the waiting.
Have a happy week.......

27 comments:

Gail said...

Have a delightful visit to the sea with your family! I love the hoverflies, too Cheryl, they are so much fun to watch as they hover above the plants. gail

Liz said...

Lovely photos Cheryl and great to see the cricket!

Have fun with your family and I look forward to photos [:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Oh yes, we have those wasps around here too. I don't have any asters blooming yet. I hope you all have fun. It sounds like it will be a great gathering.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

The hover fly looks like it's standing on its head! :)

Pat said...

Trip to the seaside?
Fun fun fun !!
I live about 3 to 4 miles from the beach...think I would spend some time there...will after the tourist leave.
Don't like those wasps...not all bugs are good.

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Wonderful time in your garden today hunting bugs! You do have many benificals....the wasps have a place too. I also have a few "nests" and just let them be!
Poor little bee...he does look tattered. The Lady Beatles are so cute! It was so very hot today at my house. I could not be out in the sun for long. We stayed close to home and hunted for bugs in the woods. I shall walk the Prairie once again when it cools down.
Time with family is the best....enjoy your son and daughter and your sweet Grandchildren. As you know they grow up so fast.
Thank you for a fun safari.
I shall go sit quietly and knit....
it is very hot.
Sherry

Wendy said...

I also have a couple of wasp nests in our yard. One is under the front porch - not a good location, but the other is up in a tree. Will post about it.

Your ladybird is so sweet. I haven't seen many this year. I also like the hoverflies and bees.

Have a wonderful time at the sea. Family is so important. We'll be here when you get back.
Have fun!

Rose said...

Now that I have seen a hoverfly in person, I can see why you love these little bees so much. Poor little bumble; he must have had a rough few days. Have a great week with your family--sounds wonderful!

Cheryl said...

Hi Gail...tku.....I must say hoverflies are one of my favourite to. I never realised how many different types there were until I started safari.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Liz....thanks....we get a lot of crickets here.....I have never been able to photograph them, they are always jumping around.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa....I don't mind the wasps but you do need to know where they are nesting....

My asters are early.....it has been a strange year in the garden (plant wise)....

Cheryl said...

Hi Patsi....I love the seaside, always plenty to do, for all ages.....we are around 40minutes away.....

I do not mind wasps....I just stay away from their patch until they leave......

Cheryl said...

Hi Sherry....as you so rightly say many beneficials....along the railway embankment there are many wildflowers growing.....each morning as I walk to the back of the gardens I can see the insects working amongst the blooms. Whilst I was sad when the old oaks were felled, it has given light for the natives to blossom....

Wasps are fine.....I just stay away.....

I am looking forward to the seaside.....it will be good to spend time together.

We all met yesterday at the riverbank....parents and Mum in law came to. It was lovely walking along the river into the old woods......a magical day.....

I can see that scarf growing!!

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy....everyone seems to have wasps nests.....wasps are doing well!!

We are only doing day trips......I shall visit blogs if I can....I have a feeling I will be too tired by the time I get back each evening......but it will be fun to be together and as you so rightly say family is so important......

Sondra said...

Your photos are wonderful-- very good one of the ladybird, enjoy the family time!

o2bhiking said...

Thanks for sharing the insect pictures, a little world easily overlooked. Have a fun trip.

ShySongbird said...

A lovely leisurely safari Cheryl with beautiful photos and how nice to see the Lacewing. I too love Hoverflies, such hard workers. Have a wonderful week with the family, I do hope the weather is kind to you.

Roses and Lilacs said...

I always enjoy your Sunday Safaris. Have a lovely time at the sea and show us some photos;)
Marnie

Cheryl said...

Thank you Dixxi Dooodles.....glad you enjoyed them

Cheryl said...

Hi Jan.....I have had a huge number of lacewings this year......they overwintered in the summer house. I don't think that Mr P anticipated that. I was very pleased to see it......

Ruth said...

Insects! Can I place an order?
(my word verification is "wingless"!)

NCmountainwoman said...

Have the best time ever with the family. Hope the weather is wonderful.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Lovely insect photos, I love inviting all wildlife into my garden. Right now I am waiting to see Black Swallowtail caterpillars.

Cheryl said...

Hi Ruth.....If only we could do that, it would be perfect for those who had not had the weather conditions to attract them.
'wingless' could not be more apt.....

Cheryl said...

Iowa gardening woman....how wonderful....I do hope that the caterpillars arrive in some numbers.

I travelled through Iowa many years ago.......so flat and deserted......

marmee said...

cheryl,

so delighted you will have family time. it is the most special time.
thanks for sharing all your wonderful creatures...they all have their place and do things for our gardens. i love seeing them closeup in your shots.
happy hot august days.

A wildlife gardener said...

I wish for you and your family a wonderful time together, dear Cheryl, away from the cares of the world..to simply be together as a family...time, the most precious gift we give to one another... :)

When you return your wildlife sanctuary will be there to welcome you home...new flowers will have opened, the wasps, bees, lace-wings, crickets, bees and all the other myriad of wildlife will have been guarding your inner sanctum and will be happy to share their secrets once again :)

I would like to share my latest video of my beloved annual poppies with you... :)

http://ourlittlecornerofparadise.blogspot.com/2009/08/ephemeral-poppies.html