Buds, bees and butterflies

These nice clumps of some sort of allium are always just alive with all sorts of small bees and wasps, and other insects, as well as many butterflies, none of which pay any attention to me as I get the camera in close. I think these are a type of garlic. Together with allyssum the make a lovely white bed, very easy to grow. 

 Sipping Soda Through a Straw

Company for Dinner

Table for Two

And the next image of a short series, 'enhanced' with watercolor effect.

Here be Spiders

There are always one of two of these spiders in my yard during a summer. They are very common here. They build big orb webs in the vines usually near a wall or fence, so one is not likely to just walk into it. They don't move much, so are easy to photograph.  Found this information online.

                   BLACK AND YELLOW ARGIOPE
GENUS and SPECIES: Argiope aurantia

One of Kentucky's largest spiders is an orb weaver called the Black and Yellow Argiope, Argiope aurantia. Commonly called "garden spiders," these orb weavers can be almost 3 inches long from leg tip to leg tip. Argiope spiders are very common in backyard gardens, and have given a fright to many a homeowner. Although they are large and intimidating, their bite is only dangerous to people who experience severe allergic reactions to insect and spider bites.

Mid-August Garden Tour

 While doing a little clipping and trimming this morning, I was greeted by this little Praying Mantis. (well, not really little, about 2 inches long) and that prompted a dash into the house to get the camera. So here are some other images of the day. Just a few morning glory, and one last day lily. I cut back the spent 'surprise lilies', and here's closeup a shot of a broken off stem. The hostas are coming on, with their big white lily clusters. (also known as Plantain Lilies). A Cicada, and of course, the inevitable bumble bee in the rose of sharon.

 

Rose of Sharon

Surprise Lily in bloom

Friday Fun

Lillies for thee

Photo of the day

Some days you just come up a little short!

(Jockeys, made in 2005.)