bluegaria: For those who don't mind bugs and things

I thought I'd do a separate critter post as not everyone likes them. I find them fascinating I have to say....as long as they don't invade my space.

Unfortunately that is what happened today! I had taken the garden brolly down and laid it at the side of the wall when the wind got up the other day. With feeling rotten we ave not been sitting outside so it has been about five days on the floor. I didn't think much of it, but when I put it up there was a shower of critters! As I say, I don't mind them, but I don't want them in my hair. Rushed in for a camera so missed a few...but still managed some sort of decent photos. I hope the neighbours weren't watching!

I'm sure you can see through those legs!

Beautiful

Come back...I need a photo (some sort of wolf spider? No idea)

Ah...there's another one Lovely legs!

A silverfish and a mini woodlouse

Some sort of grub

And a fine looking beetle

Centipede

And another beetle, maybe a darkling beetle?

Also there have been quite a lot of the house centipedes appearing with the warmer weather, fascinating creatures but so fast moving! And a bit creepy the way they can disappear.

In the garden we are being plagued by aphids of different colours. You don't really notice them that much, but if they get really bad on the roses I go round blasting them with water and if that doesn't work, wiping them off. But I took the camera to some buds, mainly to show that they were ready to open, but when looking at them on the computer found myself in awe at the sheer numbers of aphids and the critters that prey on them. I have had a few chance photos lately when I didn't know something was there. Of course that means they are often out of focus but sometimes you get lucky.

Took this as it's about to open, didn't notice the lacewing on the side scoffing aphids

Fascinating, aphids in all stages of life on one small bud

And some black ones

Which was the case with the swallow. They had been coming down to the duck pond and picking up feathers and mud. But because there is a high chain link fence there this year I can't get photos easily. But I did take one rather boring one of a swallow looking for something, but when looking at it later found there was another coming in to land. Shame about the focus but still, you know what I mean.

Poor photo of the swallow....

But this chap was just on the left

All around there are bees and butterflies of all different shapes and sizes, hoverflies and lacewings, all good things. There are ants by the thousand and I have seen some real whoppers....but many are so elusive once I have camera in hand.