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

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Warmbaths - Part 8 Final

The clouds were building up for a storm and the antS seemed to sense it as they were taking their larvae somewhere else, maybe to higher ground.
This was on my tent but I do not have a clue what it is. Oh I know ..... its a BUG!! LOL!!
A Wattle Chafer who looks like it might be carrying eggs.
Maybe some kind of Rove Beetle? It looks quite a nasty one.
I wonder if the piece of grass was to help him balancing on the grass stem? LOL!!
It was getting to summer and the Acacia trees had almost finished blooming and were getting their seed pods.
A ladybug/ladybird.
All in all the four days spent there well worth it as I found a wonderful variety of bugs. I should go back again soon.....

28 comments:

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Do you ever look up when you walk around? I have a feeling you tend to walk into things quite a lot. LOL!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! It is not often I bump my head but I sure as hell fall into holes all the time Jonker. LOL!!

Wendy said...

Ants are so interesting, so are bees, it's just so fascinating how they live in a colony and all look out for each other. Amazing how nature works.
I really really like your snail picture! Very cute about the balancing piece of grass, lol :)

Craver Vii said...

I really, really like the picture of the ant and the rove beetle!!

That first comment about bumping your head was hilarious. :-)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I think us humans can learn a lot from these insects Wendy.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! Glad you enjoyed it Craver. It is true though, there are always holes hidden by the grass. :)

Birdy Official said...

Another interesting series of pictures Joan. Recently I disturbed a colony of ants with a lot of larvae and was wonder to see that ants were shafting larvae to a safer place.

Wendy said...

You are so right Joan :)
*hugs*

Unknown said...

These are some fantastic shots, Joan! The top one is my favourite. I think I've never seen young seedpods as in the Acacia photo, really interesting.

Gaelyn said...

It should be bug season there soon and you can get out camping again.

I do agree with the slaughter of these hybrids. Unfortunately, the four agencies involved may not. Such a shame.

I too miss our trip and would return to Kruger in a heart beat. Now I just need more $$$.

Diane said...

What wonderful photos. That one you say looks quite nasty does not appeal to me at all. I think it could leave its trademark:-( Diane

sandy said...

OH wow, these are great close ups Joan.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Birdy. The ants have such a strong sense of order. They are amazing to watch. I never knew so many different species could be found in them. I had the idea that ants were ants and all the same till I started taking pictures of them.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hugs too Wendy. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jose. I love this time of year when everything is shooting out but the end of the season also had some interesting things like the seed pods. They are so tiny at first.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is Gaelyn and I cannot wait to be back in the bush. I am leaving on Friday for 2 whole weeks in the bush again and yo will not believe how I am looking forward to it.

I sometimes wonder what people think they are doing when they cross them like that? It is not natural and unfortunately something I do not like. Each species should stay pure, after all, they dont do that in their natural habitats.

I am looking forward to seeing the rest on your Kruger series. I was just thinking that I should put the links to te travelogue series I did on Kruger in the side bar as it might be of interest to people who have not yet seen them.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You are right Diane, it is a scary one. There are some insects I come across which I do not pick up with my bare hands.:)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Sandy. :)It was really a great few days up there being able to get insects and things from another area.

Gaelyn said...

I am very jealous of your trip into the bush. Yippee! Two whole weeks to play. Can't wait to see what you see. Have a great time, and tip one for me.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Come over and you can go with me. :) I probably wont sleep a wink tonight thinking about it. This is going to be a fantastic trip.

One one? Or did you mean one per day? We will see how much of the bottle comes back with me. LOL!!

Its Time to Live said...

Some great shots here. Gives me some ideas! Thanks.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Nice to hear from you again. Thanks, it has been winter here so bugs have been a bit hard to find. :)

Becky said...

Love the snail. I like snails! They're cool.
I never saw a Ladybug that wasn't red. Super collection Joan.
I'm looking for that bug I need to send you for ID.
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky. We have some odd looking ladybugs here, some even are one solid color and a few have stripes instead of spots.

I will be leaving in a few hours time so I think I am going to have to ask you to keep it till I get back to work. :)

Heidi Hoffer said...

Hello Joan,
I have enjoyed your blogs since "following". I wanted you to know I have linked to your blog from mine. If you do not wish this i will remove he link, but since your blog was not "private" and contains most excellent information...
My blog covers my Fulbright research at Wits and soon at Pretoria.
www.worldbydesign.blogspot.com

Best Regards,
Heidi

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Heidi and welcome. I am pleased you are enjoying the posts and dont mind the link at all. I will check out your blog later but I am in the bush right now for a week and the signal for the internet is not too good so I am only answering comments as far as I can.

Rambling Woods said...

I didn't know that ladybugs were other than red....

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

They come in all colors and patterns here Michelle. Some have stripes and some are plain colors. :)

What a cute avatar!! LOL!!