Flora and Fauna XIII – Rose Bushes

In the past couple of days I captured a few interesting images that made me think of my Flora and Fauna series, so decided it was time for another entry.

This entry is somewhat similar to previous series entries: Roses and Ladybugs

ladybugs, roses, aphids, rose garden, rose bushesI have been noticing a lot of ladybugs on my rose bushes, which is good as they are working on cutting down the aphid population. A ladybug can eat thousands of aphids during its life.

ladybugs, roses, aphids, rose garden, rose bushesHere is a little closer look at some of the aphids. They are tiny little creatures, and a nice meal for the ladybugs.

Pink rose, ladybug larvae, rose bushes, aphids, pest controlThis picture was just supposed to be a picture of a pink rose. However, if you look closely you will see a large number of ladybug larvae. The larva look a bit like tiny alligators with red spots. They will feed on aphids and other insects for a couple weeks before transforming into ladybugs.

One of my goals this year is to get pictures of ladybug eggs and pupae. I will have to start searching carefully.

rose bud, insect, rose gardenI am not sure what type of insect this is, but it is hanging on to this rose bud.

Yellow Rose Bud, insect legs, green rose, green tinge, st. patrick roseThis picture of the same rose bud was taken about 12 hours before the first one. This one also has the same type of insect on it, but it is hanging off the back side. Can you see the legs of the insect at the upper left?

Valley Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, pollination, rose bushes, gold bee, snitchI could not resist adding one more picture past my formulaic five. Actually the second rose bud picture was not planned when I started the post, and I just couldn’t cut this one.

This is a carpenter bee that has been visiting my rose bushes the past week. You can see more pictures of him in my post Carpenter Bee in my Rose Garden.

I hope you enjoyed this latest entry in my Flora and Fauna series. You can find all of them using the search box.

Steven

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Carnival

This evening while doing my Saturday shopping I drove by a carnival.

Carnival, Malvern Iowa, Silver Star Shows, 4th of JulyWhen I see carnivals I think about Silver Star Shows.

For many years my grandparents worked for this carnival. It was first just on weekends, but when my grandpa retired they spent more time with the carnival.

Merrygo round, Grandpa, Silver Star Shows, CarnivalHere is my grandpa working one of the rides at the carnival.

German Carnival, Midway, Jena, AltstadtfestCarnivals are of course always full of rides and today they are sometimes more complicated than they were back then.

Ferris Wheel, Jena, Germany, Altstadtfest, CarnivalI also see carnivals or festivals in other parts of the world like this one in Germany. It is very common to see a Ferris wheel at carnivals, and the one I drove by tonight had a nice colorful one.

Ferris Wheel, Jena Germany, Christmas MarketMy younger sister also used to work for a carnival, so I always think of family when I see carnivals.

Ring Toss, Pop Bottles, Soda Bottles, Carnival GamesFor me, I like to wander around a carnival and watch people play the games of skill like this ring toss one.

Now back to work on a presentation for tomorrow.

Steven

 

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