2 manzanita shots to go, please...

Busy, but today's assignment was "red"

(for the 30 day photo challenge by @just_go_do_it)

so as soon as I realized that meant some quality time with manzanita,

I grabbed the Nikon and headed out.

I find myself gazing at this plant like I'm in love.

Just staring and staring.

So beautiful. We're very lucky to have them here.

SO many wildlife species eat the berries,

and they are early bloomers in the spring,

which gives a low hummmmm to the landscape

as thousands of bees merrily pollinate them

to begin their little bee lives for the year.

Maybe I am in love. =)

xoxobbb

shiny bumblebee bum-bum

 I love how you can see the dahlia flower reflected in this bee's hiney.

These bees didn't seem to be sharing very willingly...

The bumblebee is SO much bigger, it sounds like a C3 plane relative to the honeybee.

Such a shiny, profoundly-black animal.

Finally caught it on film.

Been pursuing this creature (or something like it) all summer. =)

 Thank you, providence!

And, thank you dahlias, for drawing so many fascinating creatures nigh.

=) 

xoxobb

Ka POW! Bush katydid nymph ROCKS the fashion world

I THINK it is a bush katydid nymph, at least...

Either way, this creature was WORKIN' it

in our garden, this a.m., on a Coreopsis flower.

First thing in the morning?

You've gotta respect that.

xobb

(It's Macro Monday, baby.)

"I'm ready for my close up, Mr. De Mille": wee cuties in the garden.

Garden teeny tinies, up close and personal.

This guy is not a lot larger than a dot when you're out there.

A 2-3 dot bug.

Therein lies the beauty of macro lenses! 

And cropped. There was NO WAY I could see these antennae in person.

How is THAT for a color palette from which to glean your breakfast?

Your little buggy office.

Nice!

Earlier looked into it, but there are SO many kinds of beetles,

I decided I'd post that pup, even not knowing who it was.

Finally got a clear shot of a crab spider face.

That spider could rest comfortably on my pinky nail, fyi.

And, just 'cause it's super cute, a bee, comin' in for a landing...

So adorable.

And how can you not love a plant with blue pollen?

That's why this bee's legs are blue...

What a delight to see this small, beautiful world.

xobb

flowers & bugs quickie

Am working. But here are some cuties fm. the garden. Enjoy!

Crab spider casting a shadow.

I can't get OVER the degree to which it matches the flower. ROCKS!

Kinda blurry, but cool little wolf-y spider?

Don't know WHAT this is, but shot it 'cause looked like a mosquito

(in person, now I see GIANT eyes) that was methodically stabbing

the tiny flower tubes for nectar (I presume).

Seen this moth on these flowers 2 separate days,

so clearly loves them. Notice TINY yellow on antennae tips,

nice work coordinating w/the flower.

I. love. bugs.

xoxobb