BrugAddict, that's a gross but good pic. ;) I think that's a Robber fly, on top. Those things are predators and are scary! They watch me and I swear the sometimes chase me! I've never had a furry one, but then actually I've never been THAT close to it.
finally sticking around for groceries
Ut oh lol...I knew it had to be a predator and it was scary lol especially sucking on a bee like that but I didn't know they could be chasing someone...lol he just sat there for a long time enough for 5 pics to be taken lol....then he was off like lightening BEE and all...whoooooooosh! LOL I found the name of it, and you are right...it's a Robber Fly! It is gross eh? lol
But it was sooooooooo much fun!
Did you start a what is it thread?
sidney
Hi Birthday Girl!!!!! :-))))) Happy Birthday sweetie!
I asked over Here I can't remember which other one now? Not sure what forum it was now lol..but someone over there gave me a link and it was a great one btw. I found the exact same critter lol...to the tee too! It was sure enough a Robber Fly. Guess he goes around robbing other critters of their guts? lol
Sorry so graphic, but he was so latched onto that bee, he was not letting go!
Anyhow, Happy Birthday Ms. Sidney and others are wishing you the same over at the Brug Forum!!!! Go peek, you have fans :-)
Hugs
Julie
wow.... go computerless for about a week, and I am SOOOOOO behind! What great pics and garden shots! I have a similar, but not as good picture of the bee sucking bug, from last year. I'll try to dig it up. eeeeeew
Well, I'm back in the swing of things, sorry to have disappeared! New mother board, and I'm set to go....
Let's see if you can see the creepy bug - its not the best pic....
Can I just say, you guys have some of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. Mine seems so small and primitive. Oh well, I'll just keep plugging away every year...it already beings me such joy. It also makes me happy to see your gardens, the pictures, and the talks we all have. Thanks everyone!
Whoahhh! Robber Fly rules! Praying Mantis will always be my front runner but the Robber Fly is B ........ A........... D!
Isn't that the same one in your pic Red?
The predator insects are cool in the yard. Did you know the Lightning Bug larvae loves slugs?
Well GOOD, cos' I got lots of them too!!!!! But the population out there is so much with slugs lol with all the rain and moisture out there I have no clue how they could de-populate my yard of slugs!!!!
Tell me something about the Robber Fly Blaine? I have no idea anything about them
I think it is the same, Blaine. I feel sorry for the bees. I had never seen anything like it til last year. I didn't see the bee until I increased the size of the pic, trying to see it better. I didn't know what it was until I read your post.
Praying mantis have been a favorite of mine since I was a kid - my grandmother had them in her gardens. They aren't creepy to me like that other bug.
Lots of interesting bugs since I no longer treat anything chemically.
These Robber Flies give me the CREEPS! This is what I posted on the Garden Foes "Friend or Foe" thread in July when I had my first encounter this year:
July 1st:
I had a weird and scary bug moment today! I'm familiar with almost all of my bugs, bees, butterflies, dragonflies etc. that are in my yard daily, so nothing usually bothers me or scares me. (except these red wasps that are still searching for their nest in a bird house that we took down) I was staking up some cannas this evening, so I had to step inside the bed behind a Crepe Myrtle, so I was kind of squeezed in. This "thing" flew by me and landed on a plant next to the CM. It just sat there and STARED at me!! It had huge black eyes, was orange or red, but I'm not sure what it was. I guess it could have been one of those red wasps, but I didn't see it very good. Man it was giving me the CREEPS! LOL!! I felt like it was fixing to attack me, so I just tried not to look at it (I've heard not have eye contact with dogs, so...) When I finished I backed out and bent down to look at it and it was gone. eeekkk!!! (twilight zone music plays here)
July 2nd:
I went out and got some pics, then came inside. I looked out my front window and poof! that THING appeared on my screen!! I told you it was staring at me!! It has the biggest eyes!! Here are a couple of pics, just taken thru the screen. Should I be afraid?!
I copied that here because I swear this thing chases me!! I found an old pic of the one last year, and it's just like the 2 here, furry. This is my current one that watches me. It buzzes really loud too, which sends me into the "flailing arms" dance.
Oh...HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIDNEY!! :) Peggy, glad your are back online! Julie, glad you are joining in here!
That's a misquito on 'Messenger', LOL!!!! And many thanks for the B-day wishes. So many good friends here at the garden.
Here is a grasshopper that wasn't daunted when I took it's picture.
I also got 2 to pose for an XXX rated Grasshopper photo, but I'm afraid to post it here.
This rascal was 3" long.....Pardon the hijack, Blaine
sidney
Happy Birthday Sidney! Very nice hopper shot too.
Paige - Be afraid....be very afraid. If it could speak, I'm thinking it'd be something along the lines "Candy, little girl?"
That or when he's got you in his clutches performing his version of a spinal type you hear him hollering "Who's your daddy?!"
Thanks and LOL
sidney
Good grief I am so far behind on this thread!
8ftbed - in the photo (Aug 10th, 9:51 a.m.) it's yarrow in front of the birdhouse with the lizard. It's so easy to grow. I've cut a lot of it this year along with spirea and lavender to use for a wreath. The spirea is pretty delicate but should be a nice texture variation. BTW I love your photo of the birdies on the redbud and accompanying description.
Thanks for the photo compliment sidney, and Happy Birthday!
I wish I'd been able to get a photo of this but I'll just have to tell you. I have a hummingbird feeder just outside my office window. A couple of days ago a hummer came up to check it out, saw his reflection in the window and attacked the window. He backed up and attacked it again before leaving. They certainly don't like to share their feeders!
konkreteblond - absolutely awesome backyard garden. Did you plan the entire garden or did it develop a little at a time? THAT is my idea of a garden. Regarding photo from yesterday..... yup, *I'd* be afraid of that creepy thing with the big eyes! Somebody in Hollywood could make a movie about him.
Yikes - your bug came after you. Thankfully, mine was munching on a bee, and I guess I didn't look like I tasted better.
Happy Birthday, Sidney!
I love the grasshopper photo. I really like greasshoppers. All I have in my yard are little guys, and I haven't had a chance to snap a picture of them. They're quick, and tiny.
Jeremy had this one and a "couple" courting in his garden saturday evening when we did a stroll. I am from the farm life that says there are no good grass hoppers.
Thanks for the wishes,
sidney
Happy Birthday Sidney, And I too am from the farm and agree there are no good grasshoppers. Some years there are lots of them here, but past two years practically none, Thankgoodness. DonnaS
There are too good grasshoppers! All the ones I can catch and throw in my coffee can before I go fishing. :)
Oh yeah, I used to have an Australian Arowana (it's a fish) that was up to 2' long. He looooooved hoppers.
Sorry I did forget about fishing. And i do remember catching grasshoppers and tossing into the pool for goldfish. haven't done that for some time. DonnaS
My garden is just full of strange creatures. I've got those gigantic, but colorful, grasshoppers too. I think they are better tho than having a million plain ones. I've got mice that I'm having to catch and take off daily. I'm on number 7 today! The furry Robber fly was eyeing me yesterday. blech!
DonnaS, Monarchs do come to your area but that doesn't necessarily mean you will see them. You can tell by my pic that one of the best attractors I have are zinnias. I planted one pack of seeds 2 years ago and then some small ones last year. Everything else has reseeded, and probably will for 10 more years. The butterflies love them tho so I endulge them.
Hoppers and all other insects beware... SWAT team is deployed and mobile.
ALLRIGHT! Need a caseing.;)
He's cool! I don't have any of those! Matter of fact, I have seen very few in my life. Would they mainly feast on my butterflies and moths?
As far as I know the only insect not on the menu are ladybugs. How cool is that?
Except I don't think you'd see him snatching a butterfly. I'd like to grow a couple of 10 pounders. I'm thinking chipmunks, rabbits and feral cats might be on the short list. :)
http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/mantids/praying/
Just found this link
Whewww, I didn't realize how efficient and lethal the guys are. I doubt this is a common occurrence though;
http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/backyardbirds/hummingbirds/mantis-hummer.aspx?sc=birdwireJul2005
This message was edited Aug 18, 2005 8:58 AM
Aahhh!! I think I'm glad I don't have these! I need all the ladybugs I can get, and I've only got one hummer!
kkb I think he meant the P mantis don't eat ladybuds. I only have a couple of hummers left. The rest have left for warmer areas. sure miss them. The Orioles left 10 days ago and the swallows have been gone a long time. Seems very early for all those birds to have gone south. I'm beginning to think that up here we may have an early fall. Actually smells like fall outside this morning. Down to 47 degrees after that nice shower we received yesterday morning. DonnaS
Yes - the "Don't" eat lady bugs. You're probably right about the early fall. DM is usually right on target with her predictions and she's been saying for several weeks she expects first frost in early Sept. She's zone 5 in eastern CO.
Oops, my bad. They don't eat ladybugs, which is good, but I wonder why? If they would eat aphids I'll buy me some PM!
If it's getting cooler up there and the hummers are leaving, then they should be coming my way, along with the Monarchs! woohoo!
I have read in the TX forum too that some think we are going to have an early fall. I am NOT looking forward to cold weather, but if we can get below 90 then I will be in heaven!! I've not done much at all lately, only working outside between about 6-9pm. But now that school has started I have to get my son ready for bed in that time! What to do?? work outside when it's nice or get the 6yr old to bed on time? lol It's going to be near 100 (feel like over) the next few days so my goal is still just to keep things alive for now.
Ok Gang..... I've had a bad day... went to get the camera tot ake pics of the bushes, and couldn't find it any where. The only thing I can think of is I accidentally left it in the truck, and it was stolen. I mean, it is NO WHERE. I am always attached to that camera. So I went out tonight and bought a new one - so it may be a while before I get a pic I am willing to share. I have to get used to the camera. Its slightly different than the one I had. The good news is, if I can learn to use it, its got a 12 x lens and the old one had a 10 x lens. But I am not mechanically inclined, so it may take me a while. :( Hope everyone continues to share until I get it together.
Oh Mags, that is so frustrating, and/or distressing. I do hope you really enjoy your new one and find your old one. I wish I had a beeper on mine and all sets of keys.
sidney
Peggy, so sorry to hear about that! :( We'll be patient while you learn the new one. Maybe it will be even better. :) When I first got my digital I left it outside overnight, on the back "porch" (small concrete slab) in a flimsy little case, and it rained!! I realized it the next morning. It still works but has some water spots on the lens that will show up in a dark picture. Duh.
Peggy, so sorry to read about your loss of camera. It is so frustrating to not be able to find something. Hopefully your new camera will let you make even better photos. DonnaS