The area near our culvert is full of wildflowers at the moment. That’s where I’ve been taking the pictures you’ve seen lately. The growth is relatively untamed and it’s easy to ignore it and focus on the garden beds. But, just as the garden beds start to wane in mid-August, the masses of what some would call weeds but I know as wildflowers kick into gear.
It’s sort of fascinating down there. Beautiful flowers, lots of bees and moths, and some rather striking spiders.
One of the payoffs of taking a macro/closeup picture is the reveal that happens. I couldn’t see those gossamer strands all around this flower with the naked eye, but they were there.
Bees sampling the goldenrod. And at the end of one of the flowers is a little red speck, which I take to be some sort of bug. Fascinating.
I spotted two yellow garden spiders. (They have varied names, but this seems to be the most common.)
They’re known for that zig-zag that occurs on the web. Clearly, they’re designers with their own special stamp.
The other yellow garden spider, just after having spun his strands around some prey. I watched as he did it. He was a whirling dervish. I couldn’t believe how fast he worked.
I guess he needed a rest after all of that.
Happy Monday.
Jacki says
I’ve seen those garden spiders referred to as “writing spiders” because of the unusual designs in their webs.
Claudia says
That makes sense!
Vicki says
Wow, incredible photos, Claudia. Your culvert is a world all its own!
Claudia says
It is, Vicki. I need to make sure I visit it more often.
Linda @ A La Carte says
Claudia, wonderful photos. So you use a macro lens for these? I have one and need to get it out and use it again now that I’ve seen your pics! Happy Monday!
Linda
Claudia says
Well, I use the macro setting. A separate macro lens for my camera would be very expensive!
Doris says
I noticed many bumblebees on my flowers yesterday. It must be peak time for them to get all the food they need. Beautiful pictures Claudia. Doris
Claudia says
Thank you, Doris. Lots of bees everywhere on our property.
Wendy TC says
How wonderful to walk right into nature on your property. Nicer than mowing the lawn?
Claudia says
Of course! Although, I actually like mowing the lawn – just not in high humidity!
Wendy TC says
I can’t mow lawn. I’m allergic to freshly mown grass.
We had an earthquake this morning, jarring enough to wake me up at 4.0. The epicenter was very near my home. I just went back to sleep… When I got up, I checked around the house and everything was fine.
Claudia says
Very scary – I’ve been through more than a few earthquakes. So glad you’re okay and that everything is undamaged!
Donnamae says
There’s a whole ‘nother world out there! Everybody is so busy! ;)
Claudia says
Very busy!
Susan Swartz says
Loving the wild flower photos, Claudia. It seems to me the wild flowers this time of year are very special, or maybe it is because I am trying to soak in all this beauty before winter comes again. The golden rod and purple lustrife are magnificent this year. There is a place my husband and I have really enjoyed this summer handy to where we live that is full of wildlife and the dragon flies are every where. Love them!
Claudia says
They’re beautiful and the colors are so intense!
Chris K in Wisconsin says
We have more bees and butterflies in our yard this year than ever before. I can water and weed and they never seem to bother me at all. Just so busy with the job they need to do, and allow me to do mine. We call that cooperation!! :-)
So. Hot. We do have the chance for rain for the next few days. Wishing and hoping for the humidity to crash. I have such a headache!
Hope your week is off to a great start.
Claudia says
Humid again today, temps in the low 90’S. Yuck!
Nancy Blue Moon says
What fascinating work the spiders do…These are wonderful pictures Claudia!
Claudia says
Thank you, Nancy!
Patricia says
We have some beautiful flowers in the bar-ditch here… Though this time of year only the hardiest of them are in bloom. I doubt the bees can find anything to eat.
The spider is a familiar sight… I love to watch them.
Your photos are beautiful.
Claudia says
Thank you. I love those spiders – such vivid colors!
Laura says
I love that nature sends us all of those gorgeous wildflowers at the end of the season. I always see them as a promise that winter is just a short pause in the growing season. xo Laura
Claudia says
What a beautiful way to look at it, Laura. Thank you!
Sandra says
I was trying to study the first picture of the yellow spider when all at once there was two little boys sliding down a water slide. It was very disconcerting. I thought I did something wrong. Your pictures are beautiful. Wish I could take pictures up close like that. I’m absolutely NOT ready for summer to be over with yet. Isn’t it still a month until the first day of fall?
Claudia says
Sometimes there’s an ad at the bottom of the photo and if you open it accidentally, you’ll get a full blown ad. Or your cursor went somewhere else – I don’t know! Anyway, you can always disable ads on your browser and then it won’t be a problem.
It is more than a month until the first day of fall!
Janet in Rochester says
Claudia, you’ve got your very own Charlotte there – probably a whole team of them. Spiders are the workhorses of our houses and gardens, busy all the time doing away with many, many other yuckier kinds of bugs. Bless their little pea-picking arachnid hearts. In my current apartment, I spot spiders ALL THE TIME, and really have to hustle to stay on top of webs. I can brush a web away at 9 am and come back at 3 or 4 in the afternoon to find another one in the same place. But I NEVER see any other kind of insect, so I tip my hat to the humble spider and thank them for their work. Have a great week – hope it cools off soon…
Addie says
Hello Claudia,
Love the photos. I’ve seen that same big ole spider in my yard too…he is a beauty!!!!
I love your photos and was wondering if you have mentioned exactly what camera you are using?
I am in the market for an upgrade in the digital sense and am sold on your photos!!! Please share!!!
Addie