I started in the back yard yesterday, looking for critters to photograph. It didn't take long, as the goldenrods always are abuzz with activity. This may be Wichita Falls. I think the bee on the left is a honey bee, but I'm not sure.
(Note: Cameron told me she found some 'Wichita Mountains', which caused me to look to see what I called it. I Googled images of the 'Wichita Falls' that I had called it to see if I had it right. Well, there were some photos, so I wondered if Cameron had gotten something else, until I noticed the photos were from my blog. LOL I guess that shows that if you find something on Google, you may want to check more than one source to make sure the information is correct. I wonder if I can fix it so the right name comes up now. At least I got part of the name right, so someone can still find the plant if they are looking for it. Oh, dear!)
Solidago, 'Wichita Mountains':
There are lots of insects, mostly bees in the asters, too.
I don't know my spiders, either, but I'm glad to see them in the garden.
In the vegetable garden, there are lots of tall verbena plants that draw many butterflies and bees in. This is a skipper of some kind.
I used to call these American Painted Ladies, but someone posted some American Ladies, which caused me to look them up. The American Ladies have only 2 eyespots on the back wings. What I have here is a Painted Lady, which has 4 smaller eyespots. I like the way this one is posing.
If you know what this is, on the asters in the bed to the east of the house, please let me know.
I think this is a bumblebee.
I haven't noticed this kind of wasp that I can recall. Wasps seem to love white flowers.
I saw an insect like this outside at an outdoor fun day where I work, and a teacher who knows the names of insects was out. He told me they are grasshoppers. This one is on a Sweet Annie seedhead.
I only see one bee at a time on the dahlias, it seems.
I had gone back to the veggie garden area to see if my sweet potato plant was still blooming. It was not, but I noticed this hairstreak, I believe a gray one was enjoying the boltonia.
To see more critters or find out how to post yours, click on the Camera Critters icon in the sidebar. If you know the names of any of my critters, please let me know.
Hi Sue,
ReplyDeleteThat is a honeybee on the Goldenrod. I'm glad you posted the difference between American and Painted Ladies, as I did not know the difference, only that I was misnaming what I was seeing. lol
Your aster may be Aromatic Aster. Are the leaves sticky and have a sweet pine fragrance?
You always such fun 'critter' posts! I spent some time yesterday taking photos of bees on the marigolds. More painting subjects.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are blooming well and it seems that the bugs have been very busy lately.
ReplyDeleteThat spider has quite a feast caught in his web! Have you tried BugGuide.net for ID help? I check there first when I find a bug I don't know. Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteFirst your flowers are gorgeous! and I enjoyed the bugs bees and butterflies too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed all the critters on all your beautiful flowers. I always enjoy visiting your garden.
ReplyDeleteWow! Lots of creatures!
ReplyDeleteI played too :)
Wow I love them all and nice colours of the ox eyes too:)
ReplyDeleteI find insects fascinating also.
ReplyDeleteWow that's a big honkin' spider!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue~~ And why wouldn't the critters abound where there is so much for them to enjoy? If I were a bug, this is where I'd want to be. I wonder if they can sense that we caretakers welcome them.
ReplyDeleteBeady eyes on that grasshopper. Good thing he's small.
The dark blue/black critter on the asters looks like a moth of some kind but don't quote me on that. I'm no expert. :]
Thanks for the post, you have a beautiful garden!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, I love tracking critters and trying to get them to pose..haha! You did wonderfully with these snaps! My favorite is the Painted Lady...so pretty! I miss boltonia so will remember to grow them next year. Enjoy your beautiful garden :)
ReplyDeleteLots of lovely insects in your yard to photograph.
ReplyDeleteLots of insects in your garden-- a nice variety. Also enjoyed the views of your flowers.
ReplyDeleteSue, Your photos are stellar...it looks like I could lean over to touch the asters. We have that same critter on the asters here... I'll have to check my 2008 fall posts to see if someone id-ed it. Have a great rest of the weekend! gail
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that September seems to be prime time for insects in the garden. My plants are so very busy with bees, butterflies, grasshopper, ants, you name it! Of course you mentioned about farmers selling to developers, and it happens everywhere. Our home was once in a farmers fields, and many new homes pop up around here every day. I'm sure that pretty field will one day be gone. My seashell cosmos have tiny little flower buds inside, how about yours? Unless we have an early frost, I should at least see a few!
ReplyDeletebeautiful captures all!
ReplyDeleteNice pictures, Sue. I love those asters.
ReplyDeletehttp://theurbanbalcony.blogspot.com/
Hi Sue! I'm glad I enlarged the picture of the butterfly on the fifth image from the top. She is absolutely beautiful! We have so many spiders this year, more than usual. It's just a spider invasion!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, I like your new profile photo! This was a fun post - and yes, your insects have a delightful place to visit !! Is the last photo of the gray butterfly a "hairstreak" of some sort?
ReplyDeletenew view up top-- Do you get hummers?I love the butterfly close up..sandy
ReplyDeleteSue, it is always amazing to see so many of nature's critters in our gardens. The are so varied in size and color. Great finds and a wonderful way to show off your fall colors. :)
ReplyDeleteSue, it is always amazing to see so many of nature's critters in our gardens. The are so varied in size and color. Great finds and a wonderful way to show off your fall colors. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that Wichita falls goldenrod! So pretty it caught my eye right away.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Not sure if you'll see the response on my blog, but Christine is my oldest daughter (a relative term since she is a twin), and yes, Jean is my mother. Thanks for asking. I should've explained it.
the picture of the spider is amazing. not that spiders are my fav. ( except of course spider man lol) but the capture was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, I love seeing both critters and flowers, a two for one! The hairstreak is one I always admire, small and subtle, but full of beauty when viewed in macro. Thanks for the painted lady info too. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Great critter shots Sue. It is so cool seeing the different critters you have there.
ReplyDelete