You may be saying why a dead flower? Why a macro shot of that? Exactly, your eye is usually rests on the pretty flower, so this time, I thought I would show you the details of the seed head. It is what is left of my Gerbera daisy flower.
Came across this interesting pair while photographing my Hamelia patens. I am still not sure what kind of insect the orange and black one is, but apparently, it likes flies. It caught the fly and carried it off. I am pretty sure it did not end well for the fly. If you know what kind of bug the predator is, please chime in.
After the dead flower and the **soon to be dead fly** let’s move on to something pretty. The Gulf Fritillary or Passion Butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) seem to be everywhere in the garden this month. I read the larve like the passionflower vine or maypop (Passiflora incarnata), and since it pretty much took over my garden this year, I can see why there are some many of these butterflies fluttering around.
The vibrant red of this Pineapple Sage is glorious in masse. Salvia elegans
For the finish, this unknown dreamy rose bush is filled again with blooms from the recent rains. What I really like about this rose, is the pink and apricot hues blending together as the rose opens fully with a buttery center.
As the flower ages and opens, the colors soften and fade.
Visit Macro Monday to view some very interesting close ups and if you have some macro shots to share, join in the fun. Macro Monday features closeup shots in the garden from fellow bloggers and are listed on Lisa’s Chaos.
Sue says
What a fun bunch of close ups! I love them all, but the 3rd from the last may be my favorite. I hope someone can ID the insect. It’s pretty cool, too.
I’m having to read blogs in a new tab, then go back to pick them.
jay says
I love your butterfly photography! They seem to like lantana too – if that is indeed what the yellow/pink flower is.
Don’t know what the little bug is, looks as if it might be an immature form of something, though. Nice pictures! I hope someone can identify it for you.
Your rose is very similar to my Beautiful James – but it can’t be that, because Beautiful James is a unique rose named for one of my dogs. It is so similar though! I’m hoping to save some seed this year and grow some more bushes. I am so nervous of something happening to this one.
Eve says
What a neat series of photos!
I don’t know what that bug is, but it is very creepy looking! Obviously his brilliant orange paint job is working or him! 🙂
I love the butterfly grouping of photos! Beautiful!
John McDevitt says
Wow Jackie. So much to choose from. My favorites are the butterfly and the pink rose, especially the very pink, very delicate side shot of the rose. Wonderful!
Mary Delle says
Loved your photos today. What a treat!!
Jean says
I do hope you find out about that insect. That kind of stuff fascinates me. I’ve had tons of Gulf Frits as well this year (though I don’t have any passion vines around). I’m happy to see them. Your rose shots are lovely.
Miss Daisy says
I was enthralled looking at all of your beautiful photos–up close and personal 🙂 I love pictures of butterflies, until you get up macro close and see their bugged out eyes. LOL. They are such beautiful, dainty creatures. And I’d like to think that bug was just giving the fly a great big hug, don’t you? LOL. Ugh. Shiver me timbers…
Tatyana says
What a drama is in your post! And a beauty, too!
Marvin Smith says
Your insect is definitely an assassin bug nymph and looks very much like a Milkweed Assassin Bug, but I cannot be sure about that. You’ve got to really know your assassin bugs to assign all the nymph stages to the correct species.
I enjoyed your shots of the Gulf Fritillary. Beautiful!
Marvin @ Nature in the Ozarks
Magdalena says
So many lovely macro shots you got and to shoot mackro is so funny.
Have a nice day!
Dave Ingram says
Some gorgeous images here Jackie – the fly eating insect is pretty cool but the butterfly and the rose series are beautiful. Nicely photographed!
Deborah Elliott says
I love these photos, especially the butterfly series. Thanks for sharing them.
Janette Diaz says
definitely a milkweed assassin! Aren’t they so cool!