Reaching the top of the hill I had a lovely view of the countryside. So many of the trees here are evergreen.
Oh good!! A bug!! Can you see it??
Alright, here is a close-up for you. :) It is a newly hatched stink bug. He looks just like the berries he is on and easy to miss.
Some more of the rocks which were spectacular. I was going to crop this ang tell you it was a rock face I scaled. LOL!! If I had taken out the grass behind, you would have believed me but to tell the truth, I have never gone rock climbing and would not even know where to begin. I think I will stick to my walks. :)
This one had the most interesting pattern in it and I wonder what caused it?
More beautiful colors. If they were not so big and heavy, I would have taken some of them home and made a rock garden.
Then it happened!! I was walking along, minding my own business when all of a sudden I felt this grip around my foot and ankle!! I was terrified!! Should I look down and see what it is? Should I try to shake it off and run like hell?? All these thoughts and more flashed across my mind. I glanced down and found it was only a pice of branch I had stepped on and it had caught around my ankle!! Phew!! LOL!!
An interesting beetle which I also cannot find. At first I though it may be one of the scarbs but on closer inspection, I see it is not. It is small, about 1/4 of an inch in bdy length.
Oh good!! A bug!! Can you see it??
Alright, here is a close-up for you. :) It is a newly hatched stink bug. He looks just like the berries he is on and easy to miss.
Some more of the rocks which were spectacular. I was going to crop this ang tell you it was a rock face I scaled. LOL!! If I had taken out the grass behind, you would have believed me but to tell the truth, I have never gone rock climbing and would not even know where to begin. I think I will stick to my walks. :)
This one had the most interesting pattern in it and I wonder what caused it?
More beautiful colors. If they were not so big and heavy, I would have taken some of them home and made a rock garden.
Then it happened!! I was walking along, minding my own business when all of a sudden I felt this grip around my foot and ankle!! I was terrified!! Should I look down and see what it is? Should I try to shake it off and run like hell?? All these thoughts and more flashed across my mind. I glanced down and found it was only a pice of branch I had stepped on and it had caught around my ankle!! Phew!! LOL!!
An interesting beetle which I also cannot find. At first I though it may be one of the scarbs but on closer inspection, I see it is not. It is small, about 1/4 of an inch in bdy length.
30 comments:
Wow Joan, only you would see that newly hatched stinkbug. I had to look very closely on the photo, but would have missed it on a walk. Glad the ankle grip was just a branch! My heart almost stopped when I read that part. Thanks for the beautiful view. Have a great weekend. Jo
Joan I think I would have had a heart attack on the spot if something had grabbed me round the ankle, branch or whatever:-)
Those rocks are beautiful. No I did not see the stink bug in the first photo!! Diane
Thanks Joan for sharing these wonderful images. The rocks pictures are just astonishing, particularly one with circular pattern.
You've taught me well. I noticed that overgrown berry bug right away. The round rock formation is Very cool. Could it be a stromatolite? I really can't imagine you being scared about a little wrap around the ankle. ;)
our stink bugs are not nearly as pretty as yours are. he is very attractive. and i really like the scrolls etched in the rock. no way to tell how that happened. I did not know you had evergreen trees there. i am learning a lot from your blog each day.
Great captures Joan! No bug goes un-noticed by your expert bug eyes!
Wait... that didn't sound right...
LOL
Craig Glenn
You have such a playful mind...you always make me smile :-) I like that little green bug...looks like a turtle!
You always show interesting bugs. I found one yesterday in my parsley planter – he ate all the parsley almost. I wished I had taken its picture. It was like a big worm, parsley green with yellow stripes and large black eyes.
I got scared when you mentioned something grabbing your ankle! That is my biggest fear about hiking in tropical places! i'm glad you were ok. You're so brave and tough! lol
LOL!! My heart almost stopped too Jo. There are so many things about when you go on a walk like this bt it was winter so I was sure it could not have been a snake. :)
LOL!! At least I lived to tell the tale Diane. The worst that ever happens to me on these walks is that I fall into holes covered with grass and the thorn bushes sure do keep a lot of my skin. :)
When I see patterns like that in rocks, I have t wonder at the forces of nature which caused them Birdy. Some are spectacular.
You are a good pupil Gaelyn. :) I know I will not be able to fool you with things like this anymore. :)
Even in winter here, there is always a lot of green trees around Sandra. Many of those in our gardens are planted for just this reason, besides that they are not messy either. I am pleased you enjoy the bits and pieces I add to the pics.
Craig: So now I am bug-eyed am I? You could just as well have completed the insults by saying I am buck-toothed and pig-eared too while you were about it!!
LOL!! LOL!!
I missed your you quips like this one Craig as they make me smile and laugh. :) Of course I will give you hell for making them but you know they are par for the course. :)
It does Mary. We actually have one here called a Tortoise Beetle but I have not een able to get pictures of it as they are only found in the coastal areas. My next vacation is going to be down there to find some. :)
Oh gosh Vagabonde, some of these worms can be so destructive especially on vegetables. Spray your things with soapy water, it helps to keep them away ad you can always wash the parsley etc off before using it. At least that way you will still have some left to use. :)
Not so brave and tough Krista just darn determined to get some good pictures whatever it takes. LOL!!
Hi Joan, I have just spent a small fortune on field guides and could not stop myself from deving into the Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, to see if I could identify the mystry beetle. My conclusion is that it could be a Trigonopus, from the Tenebrionidae family (darkling beetles). Of course I am a rank amateur on the subject, but had to try out my field guide.
I have been enjoying browsing through all your posts.
Hello Max.Good try my friend and I am pleased you got some books. If you look carefully at Trigonopus you will see it has three parts, the head being completely seperate and this only has two. It is for the same reason plus the front legs that I excluded Scarabidae.
Now you made me laugh with the piece of branch story! :-) Great textures on those rocks and two more amazing bugs! The pattern on the green one is beautiful.
LOL!! I am glad I made you laugh Jose. I thought it a good story to dramatise. :)
O man, I would scream if I got something caught around my ankle like that LOL. But then I would laugh very hard after seeing it was just a branch, hahaha!
Your stink bug picture is very very nice, again awesome macro. And it's a beautiful stink bug at that, love the colours and how it blends in with the berries. How do you spot things like this?! Eyes like a hawk ;)
I've never rock climbed either, it would be interesting to try...
I would definitely be wearing thigh high boots out there! That is one cute little stinkbug as stinkbugs go! I love seeing Africa from the comfort of my home. I know it would be a million times better if I could go there but don't see that happening unless I win the lottery! Love your photos!
It was funny Wendy. For a moment I could not thing what it might be and of course, I am not watching where I am stepping rather looking for bugs. :)
Even stink bugs can be pretty!! LOL!!
I usually do Mary but it sometimes gets so hot, sandals are better. These I had on can go through mud and everything then just be washed off so they are very handy for walks. :)
You are welcome to see my part of Africa sitting in your lounge. A good way to travel. :)
That Stink bug looks very similar to the one I wanted you to see.
Very interesting rock..
Glad that wasn't a snake around your ankle. I'd have to be wearing high top boots and socks..
B.
I will be back at work next Monday Becky then you can send it to me. I fortunately still have a week's vacation left. :)
Hey..I actually did see the bug...yea!....
LOL!! Good for you. A persons eye become accustomed to it eventually. One of these days I will not be able to hid things from you anymore. :)
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