Friday, February 5, 2010

Some of our smaller creatures

I have become very interested in photographing our small creatures. Like all "bugs" I had not really noticed them before and am amazed at the rich variety of types and colors.

A young wasp.
This is a very common grasshopper (family Acrididae), but he was posing so nicely for me, I had to take his picture.
This is the caterpillar of a moth, but have yet to find out what the moth looks like. Unfortunately, most of the species are not named and no one as taken the trouble to try and see what hatches out from them. I have started a project like this at home, but it is a loooonnnnngggg process. LOL!!
A Citrus Butterfly - they lay their eggs on citrus trees, hence the name.
An un-named moth, but quite a furry fellow.
I have never seen a furry beetle but found this one on one of my walks. He is so cute, you almost want to caddle it.
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32 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2010 at 1:37 AM

    Have you considered writing a guide to the insects of south africa Joan?

    Your photos are exquisite. The fuzzy beetle looks a little shy and the butterfly is a work of art.

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  2. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 1:39 AM

    You are so kind. Thanks Bernie. I am actually trying to find the time to get a Bugguide type site up and running but do not seem to have much time to work on it. I am hoping that it will be of iinterest and benefit to others here.

    It is the first time I have seen such a fuzzy beetle myself and he is so cute. :)

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  3. Firefly the Travel GuyFebruary 5, 2010 at 3:24 AM

    I love my camera's makro function. Its great crawling around taking pics of bugs or flowers or even better, bugs on flowers. Love it. Check out my beach snail post today.

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  4. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 5:35 AM

    A lovely function on a camera isn't it Jonker? :) I will go and check out your snail now....

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  5. GaelynFebruary 5, 2010 at 7:23 AM

    Wow, that furry beetle is like nothing I've ever seen. You have such a great eye Joan. Always love your macros into the insect world.

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  6. UnknownFebruary 5, 2010 at 8:01 AM

    Good morning Joan!

    That last picture, of the furry moth - made me laugh out loud. He is SO darned cute!

    The picture of the butterfly on your finger made me hyperventilate just a tad but I'm over it now. :o)

    And the grasshopper is really cute too and yeah, he posed just for you.

    It's really interesting that so many species don't have names and nobody has really studied them much. All of our bugs here in the Yukon are named... but the rivers and lakes aren't. :o)

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  7. AndreaFebruary 5, 2010 at 9:25 AM

    Difficult to say who's the best in the serie.
    But the last one really captures my eyes...

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  8. Craver ViiFebruary 5, 2010 at 9:30 AM

    Is that caterpillar posing for you? It sure looks like it. Wow, that is the first time I have ever seen a fuzzy beetle.

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  9. Bill S.February 5, 2010 at 12:33 PM

    I love the butterfly. Your pictures are so crisp and detailed. Great work.

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  10. troutbirderFebruary 5, 2010 at 12:37 PM

    I need to start taking these "bugs" more seriously instead of appraising their merits as potential trout bait. :)
    They are indeed quite beautiful.

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  11. UnknownFebruary 5, 2010 at 2:47 PM

    The furry beetle got all my attention! So cute! :-)

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  12. UnknownFebruary 5, 2010 at 3:43 PM

    Such wonderful photos!

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  13. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2010 at 5:46 PM

    Those are all some very nice shots there Joan. I have never seen a beetle like that either, not with all that much fur. Its a wonder it doesn't die from heat stroke, LOL!

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  14. BeckyFebruary 5, 2010 at 6:36 PM

    More cute creatures Joan, and yes I do love the colors. That unnamed moth is very similar to our Gypsy moth up here. Do not cuddle that furry beetle till you find out what it is! LOL
    What a cool caterpiller too.
    B.

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  15. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 7:41 PM

    Thanks Gaelyn. That is very kind of you. The insect owrd is such and interesting one. I am finding things I have never known to exist and the more I se the more facinated I become. We will have to go bug hunting on our trip too. :)

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  16. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 7:48 PM

    Hello Penny. One of these days I am going to see a picture of you holding a butterfly or something too. I am a good influence on people. :)

    That is really strange....one would think because of the size of the rivers, they would all be named by now, especially in this day and age.

    I think one of the reasons so many insects do not have nemes hee is because of the great variety. Our entemologists tend to concentrate on the most common ones and forget about the others. Like our animals!! Everyone makes a fuss about lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo (or the Big 5) as they are called, and tend to ignore all the other fascinating creatures we have.

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  17. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 7:49 PM

    He sure is a cute one Andrea. I like that moth too. :)

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  18. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    He sure was Craver. These insets are very good about posing. :)

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  19. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 7:52 PM

    Thanks for the kind comment and visiting my site Bill. The insect world is a fascinating one as is all of nature.

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  20. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 7:54 PM

    I can't say I blame you TB. We each see the potential of things diferently. :) I would hate to use mine for lures though. LOL!!

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  21. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 7:55 PM

    Thanks Jose. It is quite unusual.

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  22. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 7:56 PM

    Thanks for visiting and commenting Linda. Glad you enjoyed them.

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  23. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 7:58 PM

    Thanks Ken. I have never seen one like that either and wonder at the reason for the hair. As you know by now, I always want reasons for everything. LOL!! I have looked through my book and it is the only beetle I can find with fur like this. It has to serve some kind of purpose? Maybe it is just there to attract the ladies? :)

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  24. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 5, 2010 at 8:00 PM

    Thanks Becky. That moth is definitely of the Gypsey family and he ws giving me such a fierce look. :)

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  25. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2010 at 12:53 AM

    Looks like the the beetle is ready for colder weather. I would imagine that it is a good survival strategy to have the irratating little hairs.

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  26. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 6, 2010 at 2:05 AM

    You are right Steve. Predators are less likely to find him appealing. :)

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  27. sandyFebruary 6, 2010 at 3:01 PM

    I've been really getting into bug photos also, the last six months. In fact, I found a "painted grasshopper" photo that is amazing (wish I had taken it). I'm going to try my hand at sketching it out maybe.

    Love these photos.

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  28. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 6, 2010 at 5:24 PM

    A fascinating world isn't it Sandy? Since I have started taking pictures of them, it has open my eyes a lot to the smaller things in nature. Grasshoppers can be very colorful. Thanks.

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  29. Rambling WoodsFebruary 6, 2010 at 7:49 PM

    You know that I love looking for insects too. I have had more encounters with the house spider. Now it lurks in my coffee cup sometimes and I find it in the morning. I am relocating him or her to the laundry room..no screams or terror...Michelle

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  30. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 6, 2010 at 7:55 PM

    LOL!! It is wonderful to know you are on such friendly terms Michelle. :) Now what you have to do is teach it the rules of the house .... no webs in coffee cups!! :) You don't know how thrilled I am that you are over this fear my friend!!! I am SO proud of you!!

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  31. Rambling WoodsFebruary 6, 2010 at 8:01 PM

    I guess it should learn to be a good house guest then..shouldn't it. I can't believe that I am taking photos of insects and now spiders... Thanks Joan...you are an inspiration...

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  32. SAPhotographs (Joan)February 6, 2010 at 9:31 PM

    Well I am sure I would find it another place to live too Michelle. I mean I am willing to share a lot of things with my insects but NOT my coffee cup. LOL!!

    Thanks, if I have haelped you in any small way, I am thrilled I was able to.

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