Sunday, October 19, 2008

Bugs

A strong breeze from the south brought warm temperatures.
I went bug hunting.

I found Buckeyes in the marigolds,

Yellow-collared Scape Moths in the mums,

and Orange Sulphurs, Painted Ladies
and Hummingbird Moths

in the Butterfly bush.
Lots of bees too.

34 comments:

Cheryl said...

Sunday safari is back and in abundance Sherry......beautiful post.....a little sunshine and the world comes alive again......

ICQB said...

Oh Sherry! These pictures are just wonderful! I hope the bugs soak up the warm sunshine while it lasts.

ICQB

Naturegirl said...

Sherry.. an Orange sulphor stopped by my garden today! When we were in Germany
we saw for the first time the hummingbird moths! How exciting that was as we don't get them here ever!
A calming post! hugs

Wendy said...

I've never seen a hummingbird moth, except in magazines. How lucky you are to have captured it!!
I love those warm southern breezes. Makes one feel like they're in the Caribbean, sipping a pina colada (or green tea if you prefer), listening to the ocean waves as they lap to shore. Ummmmmm... delightful!

Anonymous said...

Sherry,
a beautiful post and I love to come for a visit to see all your new pictures.
- Cheers Gisela

In nature a repulsive caterpillar turns into a lovely butterfly.
But with humans it is the other way around:
a lovely butterfly turns into a repulsive caterpillar.
- Chekhov

Mary said...

I wonder how you always seem to capture back-lit bugs, birds, and flowers. Beautiful.

We have a frost warning tonight!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Exquisite photos Sherry. I love the painted lady and hummingbird moth backlit like this. WOW

Rose said...

Sherry, your photos are just beautiful--so sharp and clear, and so alive with color! I love the hummingbird moth with the butterfly in the last photo.
I have never seen a flicker before seeing it on your earlier post. What an interesting bird!
Your garden must bring you much joy.

Anonymous said...

Eureka! Looks like your hunt paid off in full!

Roses and Lilacs said...

I love your butterfly photos! Beautiful. I also love the flicker pictures in the previous post. I have a pair in my pasture but they are very shy and I've never gotten a good photo.
Marnie

Marimoy said...

Oooh I am so jealous of the buckeye. I hear we have Caribbean buckeyes here, but I have yet to see them... *sniff*

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
It is amazing how sunshine and warmer temps bring out the bugs!
I was happy to go bug hunting...
Sherry

Q said...

Dear ICQB,
Thank you!
I do love the bugs...I think it shows. LOL
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Anna,
I am so happy an Orange Sulphur came to your gardens. They are lovely little butterflies.
Barbara from Switzerland posted a picture of the Hummingbird Moths in her gardens. They are in the same family as ours! NIce you saw them in Germany. Always a delight to know the bugs are doing well all over the world.
Hugs and buzzzz,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Wendy,
While sitting on the deck yesterday, with the warm moist air bathing my legs and face, I had the feeling of the Caribbean. It smelled sweet too. I was sipping water...which for me is yummy.
Flights of fancy are always fun.
Thanks for traveling the ocean's breeze with me.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Gisela,
Thank you. It is very nice of you to come and visit. I tried posting a series of pictures this morning but I have used up all my picture posting space! I had to buy gb space. Now I am waiting for Blogger to let me put my pictures up.... One picture I took this morning my husband loves so much that he has asked me to please print and mat and frame for our house. I will too...maybe tomorrow.
Hope I can post soon. I take lots of pictures everyday and the joy is in the sharing!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mary,
I think it is because I am out in the mornings and late afternoons. LOL! I also am out at mid-day...I am outside as much as possible...
Frost??? We have not had any yet. Any night now it will drop to freezing. I would like the marigolds and mums to last a wee bit longer. I will miss the bugs and the blooms. Hopefully the birds will be my winter companions again this year.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
Thank you. I like back lighting.
The Hummingbird Moth was small and so fast. I worked to get this picture....it is so fun that I am not sure I can call taking pictures work...sometimes frustrating and other times rewarding.
These are rewarding pictures.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Rose,
Thank you. I did take to the camera.
I was lucky to get the Flicker photos. My husband really liked them too.
It is wonderful to be able to share the birds and blooms and bugs that are in my gardens. I do enjoy the critters...and all the plants.
Sherry

marmee said...

wonderful, beautiful, love seeing all the creatures clamering for the warmth.

Grammy said...

Good morning Sherry,
The Hummingbird Moth reminds me of something that was on a plumbette.
I was pulling them off the tree a year ago and some thing with a buzz and a bee or wasp like body with a humming bird beak was stuck to it. It happened so fast I did not get a good look. I wonder if this was it. Your picture are beautiful as usual.
Have a great day my friend.
Grammy

Meems said...

That hummingbird moth is a perfect shot and I know how hard it is to film them... they never stop fluttering those beautiful wings. Bug hunting was successful. Very lovely afternoon you enjoyed.

Terry said...

I always love vistiing your blog...your photos are so amazing! I miss my butterflies but I know they'll be back next summer again.

ChrisND said...

I am impressed with your abundance of bugs on a warm day! I think with the arrival of frost the bug season is fast ending here - although I still catch some gems while putting everything to bed.

Q said...

Dear Meredith Teagarden,
I was thinking of you the other day. I chase after butterflies and you chase after your darling little daughter!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Marnie,
The Flickers ARE very shy birds.
I was pleased to get these pictures. I was double pleased to be able to photograph the yellow shaft!
The butterflies are very beautiful. I will miss them!
Thank you.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mimi,
The Buckeye is my husband's favotite. They are pretty. This year they seem much smaller. I am not sure if this is true or if my memory is failing!
Both could be the case.
You are surrounded by the beauties every day at work. I think I would enjoy working at a butterfly conseratory!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Marmee,
Tonight the air is chilly and the rain is coming down. I too will be scampering for warmth come morning. I might have to turn on the furnance!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Grammy,
Humm...I do not know. The Hummingbird Moths around my house are small and do not have a beak of any sort...very fast flying too. They hover like a Hummingbird but are small like a bumble bee. Sometimes people think they are bumble bees.
Thank you.
I do love the bugs!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Meems,
It is always fun to go bug hunting!
The Hummingbird moths are fast!
Getting "stop action" to work took a few tries!
Thank goodness for digital photography.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Terry,
I think it will be warm off and on at least until December. Normally we have a few 60 degree days in November. I know I will see some bees and maybe if I am lucky a few butterflies will come out for drinks. I keep bananas in the freezer for the warm winter days. I just heat them in the micro wave for 30 seconds and set them out. Many of the butterlfies over winter as adults. They enjoy a sweet banana drink as do the bees.
I also will miss the bugs once Winter sets in.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Chris,
I was looking at your weather and I see it has become cold!!! Will you take off on a tour of the southern states?
I would love to migrate with the butterflies!
Sherry

kkryno said...

My favorite! The Hummingbird Moth.
So sweet.

Q said...

Dear Vikki,
I am really going to miss the bugs once we have a freeze.
I too love the Hummingbird Moths.
Sherry