Chembe Visit Continued...

I went crunching through the burnt grass in my sandals for a shot of these blooms...

...only to find heaps of them right beside the path just a few minutes later!

I don't want whatever this plant has!

It took ages to get a clear enough shot of this little busybody who was rolling tiny stones about, burrowing in the sand and generally not enjoying my attention.

Beautiful seed pods.

October Chembe Visit

Upon picking out a wooden shelter at Chembe Bird Sanctuary, hubby and I were a little worried to find that we were sharing it with some bad-ass insect gangsters. Luckily we kept out of their way and they were happy to leave us alone.

Being "suicide month" the heat is draining and oppressive - energy levels dive and plants struggle. This head of seed pods has a funky little wig on that makes me think of something one would buy at The Crazy Store.

I would never have seen this tiny little moth perched on his leaf if I hadn't been looking for the spider that made this web (answer: they're really too minute for my camera to capture).

Pretty, fragile blooms attracting ants aplenty with sweet nectar.

Most of the area has been recently burned and ash scatters the landscape, but spring is boldly emerging.

"I can't believe you've lost track of where that moth is again," Graeme laughed - but they really are well camouflaged.

Madison's Freaky Caterpillar

On the pretty side of things, this is my first poppy bloom! Have been watching them slowly growing from seeds for months.

On the freaky side of things, Madison brought this caterpillar into the house and was playing with it. Needless to say I took it away (though honestly more out of concern for what would happen to a cat if it were to eat such a neon multicoloured worm).

So I left it atop a pillar by the braai area and it must have been alright as it disappeared shortly after.

The next day I was watering the lawn beside the pool when this spider caught my eye. Turns out it's a young female black button spider. Good job I tossed her over the hedge before Madison could check things out - fatal toy for a cat.

I doubt a person would be easily bitten - she really was more interested in running away from me than being photographed.

Phlox, Weird Webs and the Moths Take Over

These little darlings sprouted from phlox seed a few months ago and are finally blooming happily in the flower bed in front of the patio.

Pastel pink and purple flowers featured on the seed packet, but it looks like I got the loud crowd.

Busy bees having daily nasturtium parties.

Only this week have I noticed when walking through the garden beneath the shade of the huge mahogany tree hundreds of tiny moths scatter like snowflakes in every direction - the underside of their wings is pale. This guy is easy to spot.

This one maybe less so, in fact there are two in this photo.

An intriguing web!

The pestilence of September wind and mahogany buds blowing all about and covering the pool - kinda pretty viewed up close.

Pretty Little Snaps in Italy - Part 2

The Tuscan countryside really is as gorgeous as it looks in movies - just rolling hills of vineyards, olive trees and farmland.

These tenacious little flowers were popping up atop the wall of a medieval fort.

We had a wonderful afternoon sampling wine, olive oil, truffle oil (not really my thing that), and balsamic vinegar that was aged twelve and twenty years - amazingly soft on the palate.

On the only full day we had in Venice, she showed us her stormy side - this whopper blew up around nine in the morning and it pelted down practically non-stop until midnight!

Within minutes of seeing the bank of grey clouds on the horizon, the tempest was upon us.

Oleander flowers seem to be extremely popular in Italy - we saw them in every city - their fragile beauty belying their poisonous nature :)

Pretty Little Snaps in Italy - Part 1

This seagull was hanging out at Castle Sant' Angelo and he wasn't moving for anything. Another photographer had a camera lens about six inches from his beak and he didn't bat an eyelid.

These little purple flowers/weeds caught my eye in the park.

There was but one pigeon in sight as I tossed my panini crust - within five seconds we were inundated!

This little sparrow wanted a piece of the action/crust.

Moving on, this pair were in a park in Florence. I said to Graeme, "Those birds are me and you!" as she was lovingly pecking her mate all over his head and he wasn't particularly impressed.

Atop a great hill, in the area of Piazza Michaelangelo which overlooks the whole city of Florence, is the prettiest little garden.

I think these are some kind of hibiscus but the blooms are the size of a human face!

Bugging Around

My gosh - I need a fancier camera to capture something as energetic as a bumble bee. He was so cranky about having his photo taken that he chased me all around the yard!

I spy with my little eye ... a tiny, stripey golden fly.

Note to self - rename photos when the Spider Club of SA IDs them. I cannot recall at all the name of this pretty lady but I especially think the little "alien face" viewed from below is too cute.