Flesh Fly
18th May 2017
Flesh Fly - May 2017
This week on my Sunday morning photo shoot I went off in search of wildlife in the shape of bugs and birds, and with the days getting warmer, there was plenty to point my camera at.
The Flesh Flies (Sarcophaga carnaria) were out in abundance, warming up in the morning sun on any available surface.
Bumblebee - May 2017
There were also a number of these fairly large Bumblebees (Bombus) buzzing around the Rhododendron blooms, collecting huge amounts of pollen.
Honey Bee - May 2017
The Honey Bees (Apis) were also out in force, and nearly all of them were concentrating their efforts on the small pink blooms of the Cotoneaster bushes.
Holly Blue - May 2017
There were even a few butterflies about, with this Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) resting on a Bay Leaf for just long enough for me to grab a half decent shot of it.
While I'm showing you images of insects, you may be interested to read my tutorial. Entitled Insect Safari, it explains the equipment and techniques I use to locate and photograph insects. Why not click on the link to check it out?
Collared Dove - May 2017
Pointing my lens upwards yielded blue skies initially, and I caught this Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) flying overhead.
Feral Pigeon - May 2017
However, as the morning went on, the skies were turning greyer as I snapped this passing Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)...
Black Headed Gull - May 2017
...and it seemed to be getting dark by midday when I grabbed a shot of this Black Headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus).
Starling - May 2017
However, this didn't detract from the fabulous colours shown by this Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) as it collected bread from the lawn for its young.
Abiqua Drinking Gourd - May 2017
In my garden this week, it was the time of the Hosta, also known as the Plantain Lily. The variety Abiqua Drinking Gourd was my favourite at the moment, with its dark green leaves making a great abstract image.
Sum and Substance - May 2017
Variety Sum and Substance was also looking rather lush...
Minuteman - May 2017
...while variety Minuteman also looked striking with its two tone green leaves.
Scilla Peruviana - May 2017
I was getting very excited at the prospect of my Portuguese Squill (Scilla Peruviana) bulbs flowering. The bulbs were a gift from a friend, and I was a bit nervous about growing them for fear of killing them, but I was now only a week or so away from them bursting into bloom!
Aquilegia Arrival - May 2017
One plant I've never been able to grow successfully is Granny's Bonnet (Aquilegia). However, this year, I've managed to keep not just one plant over winter...
Granny's Bonnet - May 2017
...but two different varieties. I must be learning something about this gardening lark!
Yellow Flag - May 2017
The Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) were coming along nicely in my pond, and had almost doubled in number since last year.
Bacopa Snowtopia - May 2017
I also had lots of Bacopa (Chaenostoma cordatum) growing in my growhouse, waiting to be planted out in hanging baskets, and it had already started to flower.
Purple Allium - May 2017
The Alliums had arrived in force, with lots of these purple globes swaying around on their long stalks all over the garden.
Late Daffodil - May 2017
Remarkably, I still had a Daffodil (Narcissus) or two flowering, like this yellow one...
White Wonder - May 2017
...and this white one.
So, this week I chose Flesh Fly as my Image of the Week, simply because I love the challenge of getting their eyes in focus...