For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Pilansberg - Wild flowers - Part 8 Final


A lovely Two-spot Beetle crossing the road. He is about 4 inches in body length.
This little turtle was so small I could easily have closed him in my hand and he had such a happy, smiling face. :)



An Elegant Grasshopper having a meal on the flowers.

42 comments:

Tony nile life said...

Nice shot of the grasshopper
is it called the elegant grasshopper?

Diane said...

Great photos but I love the smiling turtle best LOL. Diane

Tony nile life said...

You said about teaching the greco's about electric,
one person gets electricuted here in Luxor every week. so how do you expect me to teach an egyptian greco about it. put a sign up?
its like the old joke about the paint ....wet paint do not touch, some clown will touch it just to prove the sign is telling the truth or a lie.

Philip said...

I like that Turtle Joan very cute indeed :))

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a turtle with such a happy face before.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

You seem to live on the ground. I only head down there every now and then. I think I've only had the chance once before to get a pic of that grasshopper

blog with no name said...

Love the shot of the turtle... Flowers and turtles... Yeah!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Yes Tony, it is called and Elegant Grasshopper. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Diane. He was so cute. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! That is a good story Tony. Some people just cannot resist. :)

Well at one stage I put up a sign which read "no take-aways". LOL!! Now I wonder why they seemed to ignore it? :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Philip. I smile every time I see this picture. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Me neither Steve. Usually I find just the cross one of the snapping turtles. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You should see me when I get home Jonker, I am usually filty dirty so I save all my old clothes for these occasions as sometimes I have to throw them away. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Mike. He is rather a cute, handsome fellow isn't he? :)

Gaelyn said...

The flowers are all beautiful, but I like the smiling turtle best. Surprised you didn't take it home for the aquarium.

Anonymous said...

I like your two spot beetle. And the grasshopper is cute as all get out. I took some pictures of a bug that flies and I never saw one before.

Andrea said...

What a beautiful turtle!
I love its small face!

Zane said...

I really like that beetle and turtle/tortoise.

I do not know if you are aware of software that compiles a blog into a book (with cover/contents etc). There are online links for the function and blogger is "partnered" with one of the software developers. If you get chance do some browsing. You have so many photographs and information to match - may be worthwhile to consider.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I REALLY wanted to Gaelyn. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Abe. Now what kind of bug is that I wonder? :) Tell me when you post it.

Your swallowtail pics are terrific and I left you a message as to the recipes.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Me too Andrea. It has to be the friendliest animal I have ever seen. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Zane.

That is new to me but I will do some checking and see if I can find the software you are talking about as it seems like a great idea to me. Thanks for the info on it.

Craver Vii said...

Turtles often look old. But this one looks very young. Not just because of its diminutive size, but more so because of the wet backside, and the facial expression of ignorant bliss. I expect it will be a lot of years before I can wet my bottom and smile about it.

Sciarada said...

Ciao carissima Joan, lovely wild flower and I am in love of smile turtle
Buona giornata

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: I do love the little turtle the best, what a winner.

Mary said...

Your photos are stunning, Joan--always a pleasure to spend some time on your blog. Although, I appreciate all your work, the clarity of the insect images are the most amazing to me--like that two-spot beetle. Thank you.

Rambling Woods said...

Blogger sure is slow..Love the turtle and the grasshopper..I need to get out now that the insects are out and about....

Mary said...

Lovely critters and flowers! That turtle really does look like it is smiling.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Funny that you should mention it Craver, but if you think about it, we seem to start and end our lives doing it. LOL!!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Sciarada. He was so cute and was walking along the road but stopped so I could take his picture. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Almost good enough to be a header isn't he Tom? :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is always wonderful to hear from you Mary (Florida). Thanks, this little camera of mine does okay for me.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Too many people on it Michelle. I look forward to seeing them of course.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Mary. It was marching along the road at a terrific pace but I wondered where it was off to as there is no water in the direction it was headed.

Unknown said...

The grasshopper is fantastic and the little turtle looks SO cute!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

He was so sweet I almost brought him home with me Jose. :)

Becky said...

Excellant pictures Joan, and I do love that little smiling turtle!
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky. Have you ever seen one with such a cute face? Most of them always look ready to bite your finger off. :)

Nathan said...

I think the picture of the turtle is my new favourite picture of all time. You are right, the little guy sure does look happy. I didn't realize that turtles were so photogenic!

Great shots Joan! Keep up the great work.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Nathan. This was just the cutest little thing and so tiny too. Maybe as he grows up he will loose his smile as us humans do.

myonlyphoto said...

Joan amazing collection, as always. Anna :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Anna. It is winter hre now and not much is around so I have to use older pictures to post. :)