Found in the garden

[Char]

That's magnificent Char ! I've never knowingly seen one.

Thanks Blaze, they're tiny and look like they're possibly buds or little thorns easily missed. I think they're cute.

That's an incredible photo Char, especially when you tell us this creature is so tiny. I assume those are 3 water droplets on its back?

Oh, and by the way, what is it?

Thanks Veem,
Yep, raindrops on it's face - his eyes are on the bottom of the triangle each side of it's mouth.
It's a Stictocephala alta and is a species of tree hopper.

It's about the same size as a leaf hopper.

[Char]

Wasp

[Blaze]

Superb, Char !! What lens did you use ? I assume you didn't get too close

[basquesteve]

Love it Char this ones an Asian Hornet

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Just after it stung me

[Blaze]

Now that's scary, Steve !

White spotted rose beetle (Drap mortuaire - Oxythyrea funesta) on the remains of a cosmos

Le Drap mortuaire (Oxythyrea funesta).JPG

Le Drap mortuaire (Oxythyrea funesta)b.JPG

[Spardo]

No picture (was about to jump in the pond) but the other day I noticed a leaf on the surface moving around and scooped it out with my leaf net. What I found was a female stag beetle I think, but once in the net she stayed.

I shook it about without success and then tried to gently pick her up but she got one leg locked into the mesh and simply would not let go. I didn't want to risk pulling her leg off so decided to put my finger in front to see if she would walk onto it. Instead of doing that the little bugger nipped me with her small pincers.

In the end I laid the net down and gently stroked her back from just behind her head to the tail and eventually she started to walk out onto the surface which the net was lying on.

At last I got my swim but when I returned she was still there so, without a suitable surface for her to grab onto, I was able to pick her up and put her safely in amongst the vegetation.

Who would have thought a simple dip could be so eventful? From a 3 legged toad to a stubborn beetle, all life is here.

[basquesteve]

I know what you mean Spardo life is great . We have a Common Toad who lurks around late at night and loves a scratch on the back of its head. On occasions its to hot to do much, and when I am reading, a Lizard now know as stumpy as his tail is regrowing often runs across my latest Private Eye waving his left front leg

[Oldblueraincoat]

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Lots of these little lovelies on and around the terrace this year. There is a beautifully marked dark green one that l keep trying to snap but it won't sit still

[Headers]

I took the dog out for her late night stroll. Just before midnight with a nearly full moon. I heard a rustle in the lavender. There were three partridge like little speckled balls perching on a rock.
I had to shoo them away as my hunter killer cat was trotting along behind us. One was determined to stay. I got within 6 inches of it before it flapped away.

[basquesteve]

A lovely moment