Great photos everyone! I got some pretty good pics this weekend.

A few bees and bee mimics.




This guy looks really pretty, but I couldn't find an ID. Any guesses?


Male sweat bee




Tiny spider


Green darner


Silver Spotted Skipper


Dark form female Tiger Swallowtail


Eastern Tiger Swallowtail


(I posted more butterfly pics on the butterfly thread, if you're interested.)

Almost forgot the best one! I saw this robberfly, and while I was trying to get a picture, he caught an insect out of mid air! So cool. Here's a photo of him. You can see he's holding something. Breakfast time!

Jessie6162 said:Almost forgot the best one! I saw this robberfly, and while I was trying to get a picture, he caught an insect out of mid air! So cool. Here's a photo of him. You can see he's holding something. Breakfast time!

Love these Jessie! Robberflies are the neatest!

Mud Dauber or Thread-Waisted Wasps mating on Broad-Leafed Mountain Mint, again so much happens on that plant!

Other males keep trying for a turn I think, here one photo-bombed the picture (blurry on the lower left)

Some kind of Crab Spider in Miami last year

Also in Miami last year, I think it's a Gopher Toad

Thanks for all of the informative links, and thanks to all for the awesome visual treats! Cheryl, my Bee Balm is in it's first flower (It's the first time I've ever grown it and have it survive). I didn't know there were more than one bloom period and that's good to look forward too!

@nativeplantlover
I enjoy growing growing Obedient Plant as it is, relatively speaking, a late season bloomer, draws a small but diverse multitude of pollinators, needs little maintenance, and, at least mine, isn't invasive. If I recall correctly, it originated as a cutting or piece from a neighbor's colony many years ago. It also grows in the wild here, where, if a moist environment, can spread somewhat aggressively.

Lightning Bug

RobinSeeds said:Thanks for all of the informative links, and thanks to all for the awesome visual treats! Cheryl, my Bee Balm is in it's first flower (It's the first time I've ever grown it and have it survive). I didn't know there were more than one bloom period and that's good to look forward too!

You're more than welcome Robin. We're all able to learn so much from each other here. The picture taking is becoming addictive, but I'll have to cut waaay back when I return to work next week. Bee balm - You can cut off the spent blooms down to where you see new growth, it will usually come back, but not always.

Wanted to share these friends , Jumping spider who lives on the deck


Cicada

Watching Great Blue Lobelia to see what uses it, there were several of these small bees, fast moving and hard to catch

Thanks Cheryl! You spoiled us with the time you've spent on here, get back off work soon! I'm gonna miss you...

Woa Sally, that's a great Cicada shot! Thanks for sharing your friends/residents.

That sure is a great pic of cicada! They're really pretty cute.

Great shot Sally!

thanks gang.
I took her/him to the library where I work and showed some kids. Then learned a little more. This guy is one of the dog day cicadas, I think, genus Neotibicen, and from sounds files I think we hear at least two species here.

I had moved a potted plant next to the garage and heard a little chirping, so glad I didn't step on it.

I am trying to offer a real life alternative to the *&^ PokemonGo critters they're all chasing I also took a caterpillar from my parsley.

Good back-story too Sally!

Ladybug on Oakhurst (Pineapple Lily) -


Upside down Wood Carder Bee (?) - - Wool Carder Bee


Butterfly and bee -


Bee in flight -

Great pictures J. Such deep vivid colors on the flowers.


edited cuz spell check goes to bed before I do.

I'd order a dozen of those Ladybugs and a couple of those Oakhurst (Pineapple Lily)!

jmorth, nice pix; what is the blue flower with butterfly and bees?
edit- Oh, I just saw on the other thread, it's Duranta, indoors for winter. Answered all my questions!

Great pics Sally and jmorth! That cicada pic reminds me of when I was a kid. One year we had a HUGE cicada "crop" (?). Just tons of them everywhere. Every pine tree covered in little skeletons. We would grab them and throw them down each other's shirts. Probably not the nicest thing to do, but totally hilarious! Isn't it strange that people are walking through their yards and parks looking for something imaginary on a phone? When there is so much to see that's already there! In real life! Wake up people, seriously...