Spending Time in the Garden

Today was one of those lazy days when we didn't venture far from the garden. It was also one of those days when two of the creatures that appeared exceeded all expectation. And they started early(ish). The first shots of the day were these.
Common lizard

It's a common lizard. I've managed snatched shots once before out in the fields, but have never seen one in the garden. It was perched on top of some poppies that were pulled up a little while ago, in a raised bed outside the back door. It's always odd to see something quite so unexpected, but it would be great if it's decided to set up home out there. I'll keep a watchful eye out for it.

The next shot is a genuinely more common feature of the garden. I just liked the pose.
Grasshopper on window

We seem to have a lot of honey bees in the garden this year. They gravitate towards the ivy and the lavender. I saw the next subject while watching the bees on the lavender. It's flight (a fuzz of wings) and size (big) were hugely distinctive as it moved from flower head to flower head taking nectar. This is a genuine first for me. I'd not previously encountered the hummingbird hawkmoth.
Hummingbird hawkmoth

Lastly, a common greenbottle and a flesh fly. I'm just including these because I was quite pleased with the shots.
Greenbottle

Flesh fly
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.

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This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. gdare

    19 Jul 2010

    Flies are so colourful, great :up:

  2. Words

    20 Jul 2010

    Darko, nice observation. We don't often notice just how colourful they are.

  3. SittingFox

    20 Jul 2010

    Wow! I'd be thrilled to see a lizard in my garden – that's great! Wonderful pictures, too, and as you say they're not really easy to photograph (or see!) most of the time.

    The hummingbird hawkmoth is a treat too! :yes:

  4. Words

    21 Jul 2010

    Erwin, thanks!

  5. Words

    21 Jul 2010

    Adele, it was such a shock to see a lizard staring back at me that it took a moment to realize what I was seeing. It's not been there again (that I've seen), but I don't want to check too closely in case I scare it off.

  6. Ukwildlife

    5 Aug 2010

    Great garden finds! Your lucky to have a common lizard, and Ive only seen one hummingbird hawkmoth recently it didnt hang around for a photo!

  7. Words

    5 Aug 2010

    Neil, the hawkmoth has been back quite frequently, though I don't recall seeing them previously. The lizard is just great (but keeps well hidden most of the time)

  8. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    WoW great pict

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