As the summer dials up the oven temperature all the little creepy crawlies (entomological treasures for some and 'unable to ignore' pests for others) have begun arriving along with their families. While hiking in a nearby woods I came across this little 'nest' of orange baby spiders. I could find momma no where in sight. I blew gently on the group and they spiraled down like miniature parachute jumpers in a delicate dance closer to the ground, but soon returned to their home when the carbon dioxide 'breeze' stopped. (Click on photo for closer views, of course, and remember they are just photos!)
This little congregation of aphids in the photo below was holding their late spring war convention in the green lobby of my back yard the other day. They were discussing strategies and priorities I am sure. Which area to invade first might also cross their tiny red brains. I didn't kill them because they were meeting far from my flower beds...perhaps planning their attack on the newly planted roses? I leaned closer but could hear no battle plans.
As I my face filled their blue sky, oddly enough, they look like they were circling the wagons preparing for a bird or wasp attack perhaps.
And of course, I cannot leave this post without posting at least one photo of the hundreds (thousands?) of pollinators that are humming around my sage and my lavender and everything else that has blooms. They are drinking all the summer honey wine and usually hanging on in a gluttonous stupor the next morning covered in the mist of cool dew. These guys hit the bar all day everyday.
haha. a war party...wonder what was going through their minds when th big face appeared...kinda cool about the baby spiders, but still gave me a shiver...
ReplyDeleteHi Tabor, So you have Summer visitors???? We do too... These hot temperatures bring out those stinkin' Japanese Beetles --which LOVE nibbling on the roses... That's not very nice of them, is it???????
ReplyDeleteHave a great week--and stay COOL... It's miserable here.
Hugs,
Betsy
Love these pictures of your visitors! The one of the eggs is just incredible.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images. The Japanese Beetles are eating all of my flowers and even my fern.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images! Wonder what those aphids were preparing for?? Cool shot!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Summer is officially here with this post! The photos are amazing! I'd never seen anything like the orange spider nest. Very interesting, my friend...and such close ups! You brave girl, you!
ReplyDeleteokay, I loved this !!
ReplyDeleteso glad I've "found you"
First, I love the new look and layout, Tabor.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I've been doing a crawly inspection lately around my own property. I always enjoy those little caches of baby spiders. They are like minuscule gems.
I'm intrigued to see your aphids are red. Ours are tiny white bits of fluff that turn to green crawlies as they eat.
What a cheering note to end on. To judge by what I'm hearing, you would think there were almost no pollinators left in the world. But it's the spiders that fascinate me.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good life for those bugs come spring and summer, but beyond the seasons their lifespan is pretty short. (Although a bug living for 50 years sounds sort of scary! - Like a something out of the B movies.)
ReplyDelete