HI. Just a one off. Spider and Hover Fly in Poppy bloom. Small Bumble Bee in Geranium. Not sure on this - we do have poisonous Spiders here but their jaws are not strong enough to penetrate our skin - so I believe but these days with the climate change and imports who knows??. Syd. ( photo / image / picture from Sydney Smith's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Sydney Smith's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Sydney Smith's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Sydney Smith's Garden )
Hi Eileen. Thanks for that I am not at all "up" on Spiders though had heard of Garden Spider. Think I prefer the Hover Fly or the Small Bumble in the Geranium. Speaking of creepy crawlies I think the most strange I have come across in our garden is the Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar and the way it rears up if confronted/touched. I noticed another that did the same is the Privet Hawk Moth caterpillar - lovely things and we did for a few years have just a few on a Forsythia bush in the driveway. I believe whilst they all have their particular plant food preference they do have alternatives - hence the Forsythia and not Privet. Syd.
Syd, we have a similar spider here, Argiope, and I'm always happy to see them in the gardens. They are also called "gardener's friend" because they eat so many nasty bugs. It makes my day to see a grasshopper all wrapped up in an argiope's web! (I'm easily entertained). As far as I know they don't bite, but if they do they aren't venomous. I just take care not to disturb their web or egg sacks.
Hi Jane - Dee - all. I have a pic of another - I am not sure but I think it may be the same kind - perhaps you will tell me. Spiders are certainly not everyones cup of tea - many folk say the same "cannot stand them". As you said they do a lot of good and I certainly leave them to get on with it outdoors - indoors though its "out you go" as soon as spotted. Actually where I live there is always a great number about. In Autumn just about every gap anywhere on a pathway,doorway or between bushes has webs across that wrap round your face as you go through. Can almost hear the Spiders call you names - "all that work and jumping about for nothing" - such is life!. In the pic I know not how the rainbow background came to be. Best wishes. Syd. ( photo / image / picture from Sydney Smith's Garden )
Syd, that is an argiope! I know what you mean about the webs--I carry a stick to go from the house to the barn every morning during "spider season" so I don't end up festooned with webs! The stick is handy to remove the webs that are spun across the path overnight. Spiders are very industrious--just wish they'd leave a pathway open for me!
Hi Jane. Thanks for that. Likwise I got into the habit of waving a stick or my arm in front of me to clear the webs. I think the web spinning is fascinating and have/had somewhere a video film from camcorder of a largeish Spider in the process of spinning one. What I would like to know though is just how do they manage to put a thread through the air across such distances - even 10 or 12 feet - where does the propulsion come from?. Do love to see a beautifully spun web highlighted with frost or mist. Will keep my eyes open for any more and send pics. Syd.
EW EW EW! I have a serious phobia about spiders. I was across the room before I even realized I'd jumped away from computer. Ew.
Hi Ronni. Many folk have this same thing about Spiders. My missus is exactly the same - if one is on the floor she wants to jump up on a chair - in my case the Spiders want to jump up on a chair. I am "Spider Catcher In Chief" and I only pick up the bigger ones with a cloth. Syd.
Great pictures...I don't mind spiders at all anymore...I can't wait to hear the bees buzzing and summer birds back again
Then you're my hero. I have a serious issue with all bugs, other than butterflies, ladybugs and moths. It's an actual phobia (entomophobia) and it's very debilitating at times. Makes one wonder how I survive in a garden all summer, huh?
Hi Ronni. I think we are all the same really - although we are very keen nature lovers generally amongst all the beautiful things theres those which do not appeal - I think a lot of them are in the insect family with Spiders and some bugs possibly topping the bill. Syd.
