Wildlife In A Flower Garden
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
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About Lynn
I am the mother of four delightful children: a 23-year-old son, a 20-year-old son, a 17-year-old son, and a bright and bubbly 13-year-old daughter. I share an apartment home with my 17-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter. My little home on the internet is called Rose Cottage because of my love for gardening, roses, and all things romantic and Victorian. Welcome.
I'm a North Carolina girl and I love sharing North Carolina links and information. I do medical transcription from home. My hobbies include making sweet little dolls from clay who are named and have their own stories to tell. I also make old-fashioned brooches. These are for sale in my Etsy shop.
For 13 years continuously, I homeschooled some or all of our four children, but the time came that our homeschool had to be closed. It was the end of a beautiful chapter in my life. I will always be a strong supporter of homeschooling and I will continue to review books and maintain my homeschool website, The Healthy Homeschool. The Players
Lil Ol' Me
Son Daniel, 23
Son, Big Joe, 20
Son, John, 17
Daughter, Michaela, 13
Annie Fatso Beagle
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
What You Do Sow a thought, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny.
Contact Me 
I would  for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
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What great photos! I love the photo of you in your sidebar in the garden…lovely!
Have a great day!
I caught that same spider hanging around my yard a couple of summers ago. Man that guy gets around!
Nice shots!
- Mojo
Thanks, Robin.
Mojo, this spider has been around, eh?