Good Garden Bugs

I have complained a lot about snails and cutworms eating my garden, but I forget to appreciate the good garden insect friends.  This week I've been noticing how many dragonflies there are.  They're the little ones that my grandma called Darning Needles.  I love that image - flying insects sewing up a pair of socks!

And you know how I love bees.  This Russian Sage is very popular with the local bee community.  I went out to get some photos that I can study for my bee drawings.  I was standing there in the midst of the swarm and it suddenly struck me as funny how appalled DH would be at this sight!  Now I would never stand in the middle of a swarm of yellow jackets, or even near just one, but those guys are mean and ill-intentioned.  Honey bees, on the other hand, are friendly folk.

I thought I would go searching for other winged and multi-legged creatures...

I couldn't get this guy to sit still for me.

There was a new species of butterfly.  Ok, you got me.  It's not real. But it did hold still!  The other butterflies wouldn't.

I found this faerie hiding under the Japanese maple.  I think she was enjoying the shade, just waking up from a nap.

I would have trouble with this fellow if I found him in the house, but outside I am in his house.

This guy may be cute, but not so welcome; I don't care whose house it is!  I searched through leaves and branches trying to find a praying mantis or ladybug, but none were to be found.

I have such a busy day today that it's kind of scary.  I'm wishing that I could just hide here in the backyard.  I could hide behind the tomatoes and no one would find me.  Except that it's supposed to be in the 90's today; I'd probably wilt.  I will go forth bravely and keep in mind that DH offered to take care of dinner tonight.

I can do this.  Onward ho!