What is buzzing or flying near you today??

Kedi the wee beastie in your picture is an amblyteles armatorius a member of a large group of insects called Ichneumons (no common name i'm afraid) they predate on caterpillars and the like so good for the garden.
Kandy yours is an Oak bush cricket meconema thalassimum (male)
Woo yours is a speckled wood pararge aegeria.

 

Thanks Walnut, I'll edit it in. Since they are so good for the garden, I wish that lots of them would move in. As said, this was the first one I ever found.

It was Kandy with the cricket, not me.

 

A shot of a male Holy Blue on a Cestrum kindly given to me by LoL as a cutting it's now a small shrub.



It was a devil to catch with it's wings open but here he is.



A shot of a finger tame Speckled wood a thin smear of honey on my finger and he couldn't resist.

 

Cracking pics Walnut :thumb:

 

Lovely shots, Walnut. :thumb:

I wonder if the Holy Blue is the one I have seen here a couple of times too, must upload for you to see if it is.

That Cestrum sure looks healthy, how long have you had it now? Mr K was given one a couple of years ago, a red one, and it blooms non-stop the whole year round!

I see that there is also a Sarcophago carnaria on it too. (don't like the other name). They are very obliging flies, stay put a long time so you can get nice pics. I'm always happy to see both them and Hoverflies.

I think I shall put out a bowl with sugar water for the butterflies and insects. If I put it on my finger, it would be my luck to then touch the camera :eek:

 

Spotted these in a highland glen a couple of weeks ago. A pair of frisky Cardinal Beetles - I'd never seen one before as far as I can remember.


It was dull and breezy all day today which was a big disappointment as I wanted to try out a macro lens.
Results were not too great as maintaining focus on insects on plants waving in the breeze was next to impossible and not helped by having to use a wide aperture and slow speed. Bees were busy enough though and this year we seem yo have more about than ever - the sunflowers are a big attraction.

 

I Love your last photo! it's the kind of picture you would get framed and have in your lounge, and I'm not a huge fan of flying stingy insects but that is a lovely flower :D

 

Great macros there Dave.
Just as well bees are not allergic to pollen!

 

They are all great, Dave, but I especially love the middle one. The bees fur is so clear and detailed. :thumb:

These were taken two days ago and I had the same problem with the breeze. Our Golden Rod has been blooming so beautifully and the various bees, flies and butterflies are having a feast.



Now a few close-ups. Hoverfly on Tagetes -




Walnut, are these the same butterflies as yours?

 

Sorry to say mainly whites... very sad

 

We haven't seen many over here either, so I was very lucky to catch these two in one day.

 

Yet again, I sit here in awe and amazement at the photography.

Walnut, that Cestrum looks wonderful ..... and isn't that a bee there as well as a butterfly or do I need my eyes testing? I actually don't have that particular Cestrum ... it's the one from up in 'them thar hills' where I went again last month to get more cuttings of the Salvia guarantica which is a climbing treelet there ....l :eek:

Keep up the good work, guys and gals .... I applaud you all. :thumb: