Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Gettin' buggy wit it

Y'all, the humidity is unbearable. Suffocating, really. I can no longer waltz around with my camera gear willy nilly at any time of day. This time of year is why I never complain about cold weather. Ugh. How did my ancestors survive this jungle atmosphere without air conditioning? We are a spoiled generation.

These are random photos of bugs I've seen since the beginning of the year. My apologies in advance for any heebie geebies this may cause.
The evening of Jan 31, this strange wasp-like thing flew into my house
and landed on the living room lamp. I haven't seen one like it before or since.

Long-legged fly

Eastern lubber. Destructive little devil.

Blue dasher. Don't forget to stop and smell the...weeds!

Strange bug on the beach, Amite River, Frenchtown Conservation Area

Another blue dasher hamming it up for the camera.
It looks like there is a tiny pearl between his eyes.

Robber fly (I think) grabbing himself a little shade.

Ants attacking my dahlia hybrid.

One ant braving the petal geography alone.

41 comments:

Andy said...

Thanks for the heebie geebies warning. The photos did not BUG me one bit. I fact they are amazing photos of world we don't normally see this closeup.

Hootin Anni said...

Your image of the blue dasher is extraordinary.

And yep, I can relate to the humidity and heat index. Sufferin' succotash it's hot!!!

eileeninmd said...

Awesome captures, Gail! I do not mind the insects photos, some are actually cool looking!

eileeninmd said...

Awesome captures, Gail! I do not mind the insects photos, some are actually cool looking!

Roan said...

Thanks for the warning. lol I am enthralled by dragonflies. I chase them around Bro O's pond all the time. I have a few good shots, but none this good. Nice selection of creepy critters.

Linda said...

Gorgeous photos, Gail. I cannot take the humidity, either.

The Cranky said...

Oh the humidity; I wilt!

Spectacular captures of creepy crawlies but the dragonflies (of course) won my heart.

Kathy said...

Yep, it's getting that time here in bayou country!

Dział Przyrody MŚO said...

Excellent pictures! Congratulations :-)
"Strange bug on the beach, Amite River, Frenchtown Conservation Area" - this is a tiger beetle. I love it!
Greetings from Poland

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

cool

These encourage me to put the macro on my new dslr and explore (with lots of Off on)

TexWisGirl said...

lovely! they're all beautiful in front of your camera. :) love the dragon faces.

humidity has been high in ne tx. i can only imagine la...

Irma said...

Great macro photos, Gail.
All perfectly photographed.
Greetings Irma

Debbie said...

It's difficult to get heebie-geebies, when they are so beautifully photographed!

I actually enjoyed these images, they offered so much detail and color, they almost didn't look like bugs ;)

Evelyn S. said...

Gail, your captures of the bug and bird life are totally amazing!

hootnonny said...

Amazing! The first one is possibly a NSA drone.

Unknown said...

I'm with you I don't think I could survive really hot days without an air conditioner. Great macro shot Gail as always your images are full of gorgeous detail, no matter the subject :)

Anonymous said...

Unless the odd insect on the beach is a stank bug, you have not one pictured here. Insects are truly a mixed lot. I wondered how long you would last in that summer heat in LA. I can't take it myself. I'd rather be indoors in air conditioned comfort. I know I am weak.

Once upon a time my sister, brother and I had chicken pox together, in the hot summer, in the South, with no AC. Don't know how we made it. Ditto pregnancy.

Pantherka said...

Your photos are really beautiful.
Great details.

Bas. said...

Wat een geluk dat hij bij je op de lamp kwam zitten ik vind hem wel heel mooi.

Inspired By June said...

Wonderful collection, Gail - love that blue dasher!!! Stay COOL :)

beth said...

wonderful photos, but yuck….ewwww….and gross. i am not a fan of bugs of any kind !!!….

...and this year especially, the gnats are so bad i want to bang my head against the wall. they are preventing me from being outside with my camera while our weather is gorgeous,

Melissa said...

Cool! Especially love the dragon fly face. Hope the humidity eases up!

Shug said...

I know exactly what you are talking about with this humidity thing. It's difficult to breath when going outdoors. Interesting photos here! Up close and personal so to speak!!
Hope the humidity calms down soon...if not, I might have to consider moving North!!

shug

Brian King said...

Fantastic detail in these! I sympathize with you about the heat. I hate it.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hi Gail, the detail in these critters is simply amazing and the dragonfly is my favorite in terms of co,oration. As intriguing as it is to see some of these, they can be very destructive in the gardens, but make good photo subjects close up. What macro lens do you use? Years ago I had a Canon digital macro but have since switched to point and shoot thoe digitals, which do not give the detail and clarity yiurs does.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Amazing shots. I am sure I would not like the heat and humidity.I don't do well in heat at all.

Anonymous said...

Seriously impressive macro work and a lovely variety.
Your first UFI (unidentified Flying Insect) is, I am confident, one of the Ichneumon Wasps (we call them Ichneumon Flies in the UK). A huge and fascinating family, known for injecting their eggs into live caterpillars and the young eating them from the inside!

Jeanne said...

I am the biggest biggest fan of bug wings!! Wonderful photos!!

Anonymous said...

Heat and humidity - ugh!
These photos, though, are fantastic!

Anvilcloud said...

My goodness you do insects really well too. I walked around with camera gear last night and just about soaked myself due to the humidity. In Canada, so I don't think I'd do too well down there.

Michelle said...

You have some great shots of these insects. That second shot of the blue dasher is my favorite. Such great detail!

orchid0324 said...

First of all, my dragonfly lover husband (you may know by now, haha) LAUGHED a lot seeing the close up of the face; very cute and yes we can see the tiny pearl♡♡♡ No "heebie geebies"; I was wondering the meaning of this phrase p;)

Thank you very much for FABULOUS pictures of the nature; amazed with the ants shots with flowers as well!!!

Sending you lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Suzan said...

Lovely Macros!! Especially the dragon fly with the seed pearl!!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Spectacular macro shots, Gail! I've also often wondered how our ancestors survived without AC.

Unknown said...

Fantastic macros of all the bugs - I love seeing them up close and personal!

Wally Jones said...

Stunning images, Gail! I'm starting to pay more attention to critters other than birds and the diversity is almost overwhelming.

I really enjoyed all your superb photographs.

"Humidity is just Nature's way of lettin' us get a bath while walkin' around." - Redneck Philosopher

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Girl, I want your skills and if it would help me... your camera and lens too!!!!! YOU do know how to capter GOD's creations. ICK, I would have had the gitters if that wasp was in the house but you... you go and get your camera... I would have run to get the vacuum cleaner and sucked him up.

Perfect pictures as always! I do enjoy then and the detail you capture.

LC said...

Amazing close ups! I guess my nearsightedness makes me appreciate being able to enjoy seeing such detail of creatures that usually flit away before I can see them clearly.

The waspy thing had the heebie-jeebie effect down pat, and I'm glad to have experienced . . . secondhand!

Barbara said...

I love the dasher. We haven't had any dragonflies to speak of here in a couple of years.

Helma said...

WOW!! What do you have these insects and dragonflies captured beautifully. Beautiful bright, sharp and the details are wonderful to see. My compliments.
Dear greetings, Helma
*************
WOW! Hvad har du disse insekter og guldsmede fanget smukt. Smukke lyse, skarpe og detaljerne er vidunderligt at se. Mine komplimenter.
Kære hilsener, Helma

Unknown said...

Owww. It's that time of the year again, and we're downright facing its scorching exterior. Summer is riddled with inconveniences like that. Thankfully, there are air conditioners and coolants to help us sit back and appreciate the view of nature, both human and environmental.

Lashon Cheatham @ All About Air