Wildlife In A Flower Garden

Written by Lynn on August 17th, 2008

My flower garden is surely small, but one of the things I love about it is that I can walk outside almost any time of any day and find some creature that amazes me.

I usually have one of these writing spiders (Argiope) every year, but the excitement over spotting one for the first time each year never diminishes!

I placed the camera underneath the spider for this shot, and with the light behind it the actual spider looks a bit too dark, but I think it shows how iridescent the colors can look at times and it really shows the spider’s palps — those two fang-looking things right at the front, but they are not fangs.

I was kneeling by the goldfish pond, dipping out dead leaves and watching the fish, when suddenly — with a loud rustling of leaves, this praying mantis jumped from a small nandina right at my shoulder and landed, facing me, at the edge of the goldfish pond. Did I scream? Almost. I’m just thankful I did not throw my camera into the water.

Lynn

Posted in Gardening, Goldfish Pond |

3 Comments so far ↓

Aug
18
1:23
PM

Robin
What great photos! I love the photo of you in your sidebar in the garden…lovely!
Have a great day!
Aug
18
2:54
PM

Mojo
I caught that same spider hanging around my yard a couple of summers ago. Man that guy gets around!
Nice shots!
- Mojo
Aug
18
8:29
PM

admin
Thanks, Robin.

Mojo, this spider has been around, eh?

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About Lynn

I am a 40-something-year-old mother of four delightful children, have been married for 22 years to my carpenter husband, and live in a 1921 farm-style house. I find the most joy in my garden, growing and harvesting herbs and flowers and caring for our delightful bunnies.

I have a 21-year-old son, an 18-year-old son, a 15-year-old son, and a bright and bubbly (and very funny) 11-year-old daughter who is homeschooled.

I'm a North Carolina girl and I love sharing North Carolina links and information. I'm a book lover, bird lover, gardener and aspiring herbalist. I seek no help for my thrift store addiction. I do medical transcription from home part-time.

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My Symphony

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.
William Henry Channing
1810-1884

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