The Mosquito Hawk or Crane Fly - 156/365 The Mosquito Hawk is also known as The Crane Fly. Despite the legend, these gentle giants do not eat mosquitos, nor do they feed on humans or animals as their disturbingly designed mouth parts are incapable of it. They can neither bite nor sting. Adult crane flies […]
The Grevillea 151/365 Grevillea, also known as the Spider Flower, is in the family Proteaceae and native almost exclusively to Australia (with a few exceptions found in New Caledonia, New Guniea and Indonesia). There are about 360 species of this evergreen species and are great for attracting birds, honeyeaters and bees. They recently have gained […]
A few weeks ago, Venus and Jupiter were very close to each other and photographers all over were shooting the two planets next to the moon. I wasn't shooting then. I didn't have the right equipment I'd need to get the shot I would want, plus I wasn't so well. But we sat outside on […]
Last night at 8 PM, we found this little honey bee, on the terrace, not moving very much, obviously out of juice. She was dying.
Sigh. A cold foggy day does my Lyme body and soul good.
My bee-obsession continues! This shot is taken outside my doctor's office. They just had their parking lot redesigned and planted with these low purple shrubs that I think are Wild Lilac. I could be wrong. There is a "popcorn" version of Wild Lilac that has some white flowers, which this one does. I have to […]
Scarlet sage (also known as Lady In Red, Blood sage or Texas sage), Salvia coccinea originated in Brazil and is found throughout Southeastern US, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. I found this one in Santa Cruz Mountains. “Coccinea” translates “scarlet-dyed.” It reaches 2-4 feet high and is loved by hummingbirds and butterflies.
A honey bee on a Privet plant (Ligustrum). Native to Europe, North Africa and Asia, privets can grow up to 3 m tall and are tolerant of different soil types. Its name is derived from the word “private” as privets were used as privacy hedging. European privets (Ligustrum vulgare) were used for hedging in Elizabethan gardens […]