Munch, Munch, Munch - September 2017

My photo shoot this week was almost a carbon copy of last week's. It was wet, it was warm, and I only had a short period of time to capture some interesting or colourful imagery before I was soaked to the skin.

The big difference this week was that there were some insects braving the rainfall along with me.

This Large White Butterfly (Pieris brassicae) Caterpillar was enjoying devouring some of the remaining few Nasturtium (Tropaeolum) blooms.

Hungry Caterpillar - September 2017

While this one, and probably up to a dozen more, were doing a good job of decimating the Nasturtium leaves.

Surfing Fly - September 2017

Other than the Caterpillars, there seemed to be an abundance of Flies (Diptera) around. They were sheltering in every nook and cranny, although this one seemed to be surfing a leaf in the rain.

Fur Coat - September 2017

What caught my eye about this fly were the golden hairs on his back. I'm not one hundred percent sure, but I think it's a Cluster Fly (Pollenia rudis), which are just getting ready to hibernate indoors at this time of year.

Into The Eyes - September 2017

Here's a closer view to help you determine whether or not you'd like one (or more likely thousands of them) as a house guest!

Greenbottle - September 2017

There were plenty of Greenbottles (Lucilia caesar) buzzing about in between the short showers. This one was taking refuge in a Viburnum hedge.

Beauty and the Beast - September 2017

This little guy had been grounded on a Guernsey Lily (Nerine bowdenii), but was making up for the inconvenience by collecting water from the droplets on the petals.

New Nerine - September 2017

The Nerines were actually looking magnificent, despite being in flower a full two months earlier than they ever had been before.

Second Helpings - September 2017

We were also in for a treat, as both varieties that had been planted had produced flower stems this year. With over half a dozen bulbs getting to the flowering stage, this was some sort of record for us!

Water Droplets - September 2017

The Coneflowers (Echinacea) were still going strong, and I loved the way their spiky centres held on to the tiny raindrops.

Anemone Ball - September 2017

The Japanese Anemones (Anemone hupehensis) were doing a good job of lighting up a dark corner. I particularly like this variety, with its bright green golf ball like centre, with golden surround.

Damp Foxglove - September 2017

I was very surprised to see these Foxgloves (Digitalis) in bloom at this time of year. I wasn't expecting them to show up until next year, but they were a welcome addition to the garden.

Honeysuckle - September 2017

The Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) was flowering yet again. I'm not sure why this variety has been given a seasonal name, as I'm pretty sure it's been flowering in one part of the garden or another all year long.

Nasturtium - September 2017

The Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) were coming to the end of their year, mostly because of the Caterpillar devastation...

Erigeron - September 2017

...unlike these Erigeron 'Stallone' blooms that were simply dying back now.

Tiny Bloomers - September 2017

Some of the Lacecap Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) were still trying to put on a show. I just love the little details of their tiny blue flowers...

Lacecap Decay - September 2017

...while other examples had definitely given up the ghost.

Common Ivy Buds - September 2017

It wouldn't be long now before the Common Ivy (Hedera helix) was showing it's small explosions of flower buds, with the berries following on soon after.

Resting Raindrops - September 2017

I couldn't resist taking a photograph of these raindrops all resting on a leaf. It's a shot that really sums up the last two weeks worth of photographs - being wet.

Turning Zebra - September 2017

Finally, I'm still persevering at capturing half decent images of my fishy friends. This week I thought I'd have a go at capturing my Zebra Danios (Danio rerio) again. I figured that because I had three in a quarantine tank, that contained nothing but the fish, gravel, heater and filter, that they'd be easier to get a good shot of. Alas, it was still a very frustrating experience. However, I did manage a couple of half decent shots, this one being the best of them.

So, this week I went with Munch, Munch, Munch as my Image of the Week, simply because I love those green blotchy eyes...