Fragrant mist flowers are irresistible to insects.

Plant a good line of them, sit in a front row seat, grab some popcorn or a hot dog and watch the show.

We had cameras at the ready, zoomed in and set on macro.

The first insect caught me by surprise as it scrambled from heart of one of the plants, moving at a frantic pace.

This is a male tarantula hawk,

Pepsis formosa

 

The females are the spider hunters of this species, the males preferring to feed on flowers.

These are the largest wasps in the United States reaching two inches in length. Their stingers are a substantial 1/3 inch long – if it does stab you it is considered to be one of the most painful insect stings in the world.

The metallic-blue black body and flame-like wings…

Here is something you do not see everyday:

Some other characters coveting the mist flowers this week:

Close but not quite.

Lots of snout nosed butterflies,

Long horned bees,

and spiny hoverflies.

There have been skittish Buckeye butterflies,

Junonia coenia

 

and plenty of these fighter-jet skippers drinking the nectar.

Of course all of this insect commotion attracted

The anoles were having a feast.

Guess what else we did this week?

The total count was 140 satsumas shattering all previous records for our little tree.

Some of the fruit was very large,

these we separated out,

and blended into juice. I am sure the tree is relieved to have all of the weight lifted off it’s limbs.

 

With Halloween behind us, it was time to get a little slice of home at the Austin Celtic festival.

This rather smartly dressed viking appeared to be having a spot of bother.

She naturally gravitated toward the nicknack tents and being emotionally scarred after her traumatic goose pecking experience in Baton Rouge,

https://www.eastsidepatch.com/2012/07/all-over-the-map/

she gave these ducks a very wide berth.

Eeek…eeek…quack…etc. 

The highlight of my day was when I got to listen to the magical voice of Moya Brennan from the Irish band Clannad.

Back in the Patch:

Smoldering burgundy canna,

and burgundy fountain grass put on a great display on the breeze with a setting sun.

Copper Canyon Daisy is starting to bloom in the wormwood, a nice combination if you prune the daisy tight to the silver canopy of the artemesia.

Finally:

How much longer can they last?

 

Stay Tuned for:

“The Tent in the Woods”

 

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intergalactic reproduction strictly prohibited, and
punishable by late (and extremely unpleasant)
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