Evening Show

I took some time this evening to view some of nature's fireworks. Just as the sun set I noticed the common evening-primrose flowers opening up. I guess in the past I never actually watched it happen. It took about 3-minutes for the flowers to open fully.

The show wasn't done...


I spotted some white-lined sphinx hummingbird moths. I have seen them in past years and it is always an interesting show. They aren't too shy as long as I wait patiently.


I think that the colors are so interesting -- especially in the fast fading twilight. Hummingbird moth is an apt name as they really appear as hummingbirds. I thought I saw a hummingbird in the daylight a few days ago, but I guess it was one of these.

(White-lined Sphinx Hummingbird Moth at Primrose)

I also see these moths out as well. Not sure if they are the same or just related and like the same flowers.


Taking time out in the fading hours really gives a new view on the gardens.

Sunday Safari

I made it on Sunday this week...we were gone to a wedding, but we are back and managed to catch some insects and bugs in the garden.

Last week I commented how some of my old bee friends seemed to have been replaced by new ones...I was happy to find this week all past bees and the new ones all at the same time! So we had the honey bees, mason bees, "leaf cutter", the black with white hair, and the little black with yellow pollen sacks...here are some shots.


This week the real highlight is some new bug (also in the first photo). I don't know what it is...it looks like some relative of a milk weed bug, but we don't have milk weed and this one didn't seem to act like one...

Update: Thanks to Cheryl's lead in the comments I now know this is the adult Squash Vine Borer (Melittia satyriniformis) that happens to be a type of Wasp Moth. My complaint is that it looks so nice to be a "bad guy". We will see how the spaghetti squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers fare with evidence of these around.

It sort of buzzed around and hovered in front of flowers...at first I had though it was a red colored bee, until I got a good look.


See here the white bands and the long fuzzy back legs kicking to keep a hover...


Whatever it is, I so far have seen one...but it has been present throughout the week.


Happy bug bug hunting and thanks for visiting.