Last July 17 (2008) I decided to take photos of a variety of hosta blossoms.
There are people in the world that don't appreciate them,
and I'm not exactly sure why.
I found myself taking photos of a variety of insects, too!
(and accidentally deleted some of my favorites)
But here are a few bugs and blossoms.
:-)
and I'm not exactly sure why.
I found myself taking photos of a variety of insects, too!
(and accidentally deleted some of my favorites)
But here are a few bugs and blossoms.
:-)
This crab spider looks as though he has a symbiotic friend.
Can you spot a little black ant?
Ladybug, ladybug... should you have flown?
A blossom for blossom's sake.
I thought this photo looked rather "watercolor-y."
Another looking-towards-Spring-collection!:-)
They are so, so pretty. The nicest hostas I've seen have been in the States. What do you do against slugs?
ReplyDeleteThe third photo looks like a rare muscari or something. Hosta flowers? Amazing. I love your critters too although those crab spiders tick me off when they go after the honeybees. :-)
ReplyDeleteEB, So far I haven't had a problem with slugs. Perhaps my plants are too far apart from each other? I do get a few rabbit nibbles, though. And hailstone holes. :-)
ReplyDeleteGrace, Aren't they unique? I know, crab spiders are pretty audacious! ha!
Nice shots, double pleasure - flowers and bugs! As for the slugs....I have millions of them. I used many methods, from crashed egg shells to pennies to chemicals although I hate them. Looks like chemicals work for some time, then slugs come back. Never-ending battle. We pick them up by hand (in a glove) and destroy them. My neighbor goes out at night and just cuts them in half with scissors (sorry, it's pretty cruel). Somehow, my hostas are slug-free, so far. Maybe because they grow far from other plants and surrounded by mulch.
ReplyDeleteI like the hosta flowers too. You have some beauties in your garden, and what a nice bonus to catch the bugs in the photos too :)
ReplyDeleteWhat, no slugs on your hostas? That's totally amazing. Lucky you.
I've tried quite a few deterrents too, with not a great deal of success.
Every blossom pictured helps us feel closer to spring! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNice to see some blooms.
ReplyDeleteGive me color!!!!
Funny at the time it may not be a desirable photo with bugs but later you wish you had it.
Thanks buggy lady.
Hi Shady, No problem with their flowers...I especially like the fragrant ones! I had a few but they declined over the years. Don't tell, but July 17 is my birthday! gail
ReplyDeleteI've always admired hosta blooms and some have such nice fragrance. Love that ladybug. Your crab spider photo seems to be missing, at the moment... looks like photobucket's trying to load it. /Deb
ReplyDeleteI don't think I appreciate the hosta flowers as much as I should. I'm too busy looking at their leaves. Your pictures really show their beauty! I always love to see ladybugs!
ReplyDeleteTatyana, It was nice to have you visit today. I had to laugh... not everyone would enjoy the bugs as you seem to! ;-) I believe in the NW you get super slugs! Do you get the Banana slugs? (We visited Washington state once and witnessed one crawling on a trail!) whew!
ReplyDeleteKerri, At least, I've never seen them in action. I've even gone out at night... but perhaps they're just good at hiding? ;-)
Hi Bobbie, We'll be ready for Spring when it arrives! :-)
Hi Patsi, You just don't know the half of it! I was the "scienc-y" teacher at school! ha.
Hi Gail, I won't tell a soul. ;-) But I'll try to remember it, though!!
Hi Deb, Were you able to get the crab spider photo? It seems to be wearing an aphid.
Catherine, I think that's why I took the photos. I really like the variety of hostas and their leaves. But, as I began looking at their flowers, it was amazing to discover the differences! :-)
Beautiful photos. That crab/spider thing is really funky! I wonder if my garden has them & I just never noticed.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a fan of Hosta blooms. I think it would be a terrible waste to cut them off. I just don't get that.
I remember someone telling me she always cuts the flowers off of her hostas because she grows them for the leaves. I like the flowers, too, and the leaves do fine. I do try to get them deadheaded when they're finished blooming.
ReplyDeleteLovely pics, and the bugs are cute, too!
Hi MMD, Thanks for the compliment. I loved the spider... you should have seen the one that "got away!" ;-) Glad you concur with appreciating the blossoms.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, I know someone that cuts them off, too. (Actually, it's her husband!) I wonder if he thinks the plant grows stronger? Oh, well. Yes, they do need to be deadheaded!!
Thanks for the compliments. It's fun finding those little fellows!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteI have to say you have given me a new appreciation of hosta blooms, but they're still banned from our garden. The ones that were here when we moved in we dug up and gave away and replaced them with ferns. Could that be why we never seem to have problems with slugs?
I've seen in several sources that one can drown slugs by placing a saucer of stale beer near affected plants ... supposedly they can't resist, fall in and drown. Sounds like a lot of work to me, but thought I'd throw that out there!
I love getting the various bugs in my photos (as you probably knew!), and I always consider it a great bonus!
IVG, How are things at your casa? I could post a few more hosta blossoms, just to see if you'd reconsider having one or two over there! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt seems the topic of slugs might generate a lot of interest!
I ran across the cutest photo of a flower with a bee in mid-air. Don't know where it went, but I'll share it if I can locate it again! :-)
It's easy to forget how lovely the hosta flowers are when their foliage is so striking. I like your pictures Shady Gardener with the insects included ~ that's always a bonus when I catch that too. How many months till we see these blooms in the garden? Four??
ReplyDeleteKathleen, I love how my digital camera helps me to be not only creative in my photography, but also that I'm looking much more closely for subtle, often overlooked details. :-) Usually they're in bloom in July, August and into September. So, it'll be awhile, but time seems to be flying by!
ReplyDeletePretty cool stuff. Photographing the smaller creatures can be fun and frustrating. Oh, how I miss the lady bugs. I can't wait for spring.
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding? I like the delicate flowers of hosta, which contrast so with the big leaves. I like their subtle shades of whites, pinks, and purples. Maybe most people grow them for foliage and don't notice the flowers?
ReplyDeleteChad and Brandy, If I were going to ask anyone to photograph insects, it might be you! :-)
ReplyDeleteMonica, I knew I could count on you!! :-) I really enjoy looking out over hosta and seeing those proud "bloomers!" ;-)
I love hosta blooms! These are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteHi Kylee, Thanks for going through my posts! It's so hard to keep up with everyone, isn't it?? :-) I'm jealous that you and your mom will be taking all those wonderful trips before long!!
ReplyDelete