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
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.
gdare
19 Jul 2010Flies are so colourful, great :up:
Words
20 Jul 2010Darko, nice observation. We don't often notice just how colourful they are.
SittingFox
20 Jul 2010Wow! 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:
Words
21 Jul 2010Erwin, thanks!
Words
21 Jul 2010Adele, 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.
Ukwildlife
5 Aug 2010Great garden finds! Your lucky to have a common lizard, and Ive only seen one hummingbird hawkmoth recently it didnt hang around for a photo!
Words
5 Aug 2010Neil, 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)
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012WoW great pict