Winged Beauties for Nature Notes

The first insect that greeted me this morning was this stunning red dragonfly. This Fulvous Forest Skimmer is a common sight particularly in this season.

It had raining for the past week and I'm hoping to see more dragonflies in our area. Below is another dragonfly I hadn't photographed before.

A Grass Yellow on a gaillardia. The few blooms that I have are still attracting a fair number of butterflies. Below is a Lime butterfly. The Lime butterfly is said to be one of the most common and widely distributed swallowtails around the world. My current header picture is of the same kind of butterfly.

Lime butterfly/Papilio demoleus

The other day I saw a small winged insect on the wall. Thinking that it was a skipper, I took a series of shots with my phone camera. It was late afternoon and the light wasn't good. Imagine my surprise when I saw these colours jump at me on the computer screen later! I come across a lot of moths every year but this one is by far the most colourful that I have photographed in the vicinity of my house. The top right picture in the collage shows the moth with wings closed. Well, who'd have thought....?


For more posts in the fascinating world of nature, visit Michelle at Rambling Woods.

Nature Notes/More Winged Visitors

I'd never given the blooms of this yellow vein eranthemum much thought. The foliage being showy, gets all the attention. This flowering shrub does well in a sunny location. It's the third year that it's blooming and it's only recently I noticed the steady stream, or should I say wings:) of visitors? A blue-eyed bee paid a quick visit this afternoon. So did the other two butterflies pictured below. All along it's been the pentas that's attracting the most number of winged visitors. But I'm glad these small speckled blooms are doing their fair share.

Can you spot the tiny skipper?

Feeding time for the Grass Yellow

I usually see a lizard or two lying in wait for their prey amid the leaves and the blooms. In my small garden this plant attracts the most varied wildlife (including the sunbirds) and it's always such a joy to photograph them all. 

 

The next two pictures show the bees that come regularly.

In last week's post, I had posted a picture of the Peacock Pansy butterfly. This afternoon I found a Lemon Pansy resting on one of the bamboo stakes in the blue salvia patch. 

Another zinnia blooms and a tiny green spider finds its home!!


To see more posts by other participants, visit the home of Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.

The Common Grass Yellow

The Common Grass Yellow butterfly/Eurema hecabe simulata feeding on the penta and the mums in my yard. This is a medium-sized butterfly that flies close to the ground. Its wingspan is about 40mm. It belongs to the family Pieridae.

This year I couldn't take very many shots of butterflies so it's a pleasure to be able to click any kind that stops by for a sip of nectar! Here is an Irish blessing that I found online...words that I would wish for all my blog friends and visitors...always!

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

And find your shoulder to light on,

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow and beyond.