Tropical Nature Photos

Birds in the Garden

2011-12-14T00:03:00.000+08:00

These birds are spotted daily.

The first 3 photos are Asian Glossy Starlings.

This sparrow was born somewhere inside my neighbour's roof.

Strangely, I see a Myna flying into the same spot daily.
Any idea what is going on in there?
I wish I can see what goes on inside the roof.

Do you know the names to the yellow and brown bird below?

This last photo was taken at the park but it is similar to the one above it.

For interesting birds all over the world, check out World Bird Wednesday at Pine River Review.

Weekend Reflection

2011-12-03T06:36:00.001+08:00

These were taken at the Central Park in Setia Alam.

It's been raining too much but the water lilies seems happy.

Check out Weekend Reflections for more reflections.

Words in Picture 30 - Final

2011-12-02T00:06:00.000+08:00

Today is the final day of the 30-day challenge to post on a daily basis with quotes or captions in the pictures.

Here are a few of my favourite photos.

This personal challenge has resulted in taking more photos, and seeing things from a different perspective.

Some of the quotes are meaningful but some are pure rubbish.

Hope you have enjoyed the series as much as I have in preparing them.

Linking up with Creative Exchange.

Words in Picture 29 - Welcome

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000+08:00

Doesn't she look beautiful from this angle?

Linking up with This or That Thursday.

Words in Picture 28 - Types of Rain

2011-11-30T09:00:00.000+08:00

Please check out Purple Tree House for more humorous pictures.

Words in Picture 27 - Cha Cha Cha

2011-11-29T01:00:00.000+08:00

Please allow the imagination to go wild.

See what's happening elsewhere at Our World Tuesday and check out World Bird Wednesday to view wonderful captures of birds.

Please drop by at Purple Tree House for a good laugh.

Words in Picture 26 - Corals on Land

2011-11-28T09:00:00.000+08:00

There are 3 frangipani trees overlapping here.

They reminded me of corals.

Check out Creative Exchange for creative ideas.

Words in Picture 25 - Simply Complicated

2011-11-27T09:00:00.000+08:00

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
How true!
I spent quite some time adding photos and quotes to this post and realized I missed the point myself.
So, they were removed.

Linking up with Macro Monday.

Words in Picture 24 - Good Day

2011-11-26T13:47:00.001+08:00

Linking up with Flowers From Today.

Words in Picture 23 - Being Different

2011-11-25T23:56:00.001+08:00

Dare to be Different

Linking up with Camera Critters.

Words in Picture 22 - Watercolour Accident

2011-11-24T14:16:00.000+08:00

It is easy to create the watercolour effect with the camera.

But it is the accidental ones that are precious for I have no clue how to recreate another one like this.

Linking to This of That Thursday.

Words in Picture 21 - Sharing or Stealing

2011-11-22T23:00:00.000+08:00

Look who has been helping itself to Goldee's mobility food that reduces stress on joints.

I'm not sure if you consider the crow stealing or my dog sharing.

Should I be shooing instead of shooting?

Maybe the crow is bringing the food to its elders with arthritic problems.

This mobility food has been effective for Goldee's joint pains.

Linking up Sharing or Stealing with :

ABC Wednesday - S

World Bird Wednesday

Words in Picture 20 - Giving Thanks

2011-11-22T11:21:00.000+08:00

There is a symbiotic relationship between the myna and the cattle as both benefits.

The myna devour on the ticks while the cattle gets cleaned.

The myna relies on the cattle to stir out the insects from the grasses and bushes.

The cattle which does not have very good eye sight relies on the bird to alert it of danger.

Isn't nature just beautiful?

Linking up with Quotography

Words in Picture 19 - Jolly Dragonfly

2011-11-21T01:00:00.000+08:00

I didn't make this up.

See their expressions for yourself.

Linking up with :
Macro Monday
Mellow Yellow Monday

Words in Picture 18 - Adjustment

2011-11-20T01:00:00.000+08:00

This cat has an extremely long neck.

There! Doesn't that look better?

Linking up with Murrieta365.

Words in Picture 17 - In the Jungle

2011-11-19T01:00:00.000+08:00

This cat does look like a lion cub in the jungle.

Ready to pounce...

Ready to attack...

The cat seem extremely serious compared to my dog who is also in the 'jungle'.

Oh well, I just love the jungle effect.

Linking up with Camera Critters.

Words in Picture 16 - Golden Leaves

2011-11-18T01:00:00.000+08:00

The above are captures of the leaves of my wax jambu tree.

They are always being munched by little green worms.

I used to get rid of these tattered leaves till it dawned on me one day that I was doing more harm than those worms.

The birds enjoy their snack here.

I enjoy the 'Autumn' colours although there are no seasons here.

Nothing really has changed except the mind set.

Linking up with :

Fabulous Friday
Macro Friday

Words in Picture 15 - Life After Death

2011-11-17T01:00:00.000+08:00

These palm trees have long been dead.

New lives are taking over.

I love these scenes knowing that they are only here temporarily.
Everything seems to be making way for development.

Words in Picture 14 - Puss in Box

2011-11-16T01:00:00.000+08:00

I have yet to watch Puss in Boots but obviously am thinking about it.

Words in Picture 13 - Broken Wing

2011-11-15T00:00:00.000+08:00

This butterfly could barely balance itself after losing a wing.

It could have just sat there and moan but it went around flapping the remainder of its wings doubly fast instead.

It is probably still thankful with the abundance of cosmos flowers around.

The above is a photo I captured in between 2 trees and below my wooden blind to make a nice frame for my messy looking garden.

Head over to Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens to see what is blooming around the world now.

Words in Picture 12 - Purr

2011-11-14T01:00:00.000+08:00

I love these quotes and I love these poses.

This kitten was left behinds by its mom (a stray cat) which passed away when it was tiny.

My Mom took care of it and now the kitty is clawing its way into our hearts effortlessly.

If you enjoy photo caption games, hop over to Onenezz now.

Linking up with :

Macro Monday
Quotography Black & White

Words in Picture 11 - Duck Race

2011-11-13T00:01:00.000+08:00

Does this look like a duck race to you?

Some ran out of energy and fell to the side while others forged ahead with all their might.

Linking up with :

Creative Exchange

Words in Picture10 - Deer

2011-11-12T14:55:00.001+08:00

This yard art is pretty interesting, don't you think?

Unlike in some places, we don't see deer roaming around freely.

This one is found outside the mushroom farm which grew the lingzhi mushroom I posted earlier.

Do you have the answer to the above riddle?

Words in Picture 9 - Animal Idioms

2011-11-11T01:00:00.000+08:00

Some of these animal shots are rather meaningful.

If you know how these Animal Idioms were derived, do share.

'Get one's ducks in a row' means to get organized.

These ducks sure know how to queue up, looking very orderly but only for a split second.

Having a 'monkey on one's back' means having a serious problem that stops someone from being successful.

This guy is one of the tourists who offered food to those delighted monkeys.

I hope he does well after the monkey gets off his back.

This last image was taken by hubby.

(I don't think the cow would give me this look.)

Anyway, I find this image very funny and I laugh looking at its facial expression.

There's nothing holy about that look.

'Holy Cow' is used to express strong feelings of astonishment or anger so it might be what was on the cow's mind.

Linking up with :

Fabulous Friday.

Camera Critters

Words in Picture 8 - Lingzhi

2011-11-10T01:10:00.000+08:00

The above is a Lingzhi Mushroom, also known as Reishi Mushroom.

It has been used as a medicinal mushroom for more than 2000 years.

This herb is held in high regard due to its healing properties including boosting one's immune system and eliminating toxin.

Not all Lingzhi Mushroom has the shaped of a 'helping hand' though.

Linking up with This or That Thursday.

Words in Picture 7 - Watercolour

2011-11-09T01:00:00.000+08:00

I have always loved watercolour painting but have have not dedicated time for this hobby.

Lately I found satisfaction in seeing some similarities between paintings and photos.

Is there something that you would like to do but have yet to get around to it?

Words in Picture 6 - See Through

2011-11-08T00:43:00.002+08:00

Although the wings of the red dragonfly is not as transparent as many others, it is still rather revealing.

Linking up with Ruby Tuesday

Words in Picture 5

2011-11-07T01:40:00.002+08:00

I have tried the above experiment once in a workshop many years ago and it really worked.

Anyway, in this scenario, I have not done any imitation.

I trust that he is just in love...probably with the universe.

He always seem happy.

Macro Monday

Words in Picture 4 - Golden Moment

2011-11-06T01:53:00.001+08:00

This golden photo was taken a few hours ago.

I find this very precious.

Isn't it strange how different mother and child are and yet they eventually become alike?

Linking up with Camera Critters.

Words in Picture 3

2011-11-05T10:33:00.001+08:00

Sometimes I get bored with taking just a critter at a time, so I look for more.

It's a challenge to get 2 little critters focused at the same time.

Usually, one will attempt to get out of the frame before I get my positioning right.

Today, I managed to get the best of pals who stick by one another for better or for worse...

Which role do you prefer?

The one leading or the one supporting?

Linking up with Macro Friday.

Words in Picture 2

2011-11-04T16:01:00.001+08:00

I believe many of us understand the concept of 'Letting Go.'

It sets us free.

It is however easier for some than others.

Linking up with:

Fabulous Friday

Words in Picture 1

2011-11-03T16:40:00.001+08:00

They say a picture paints a thousand words.
Here are my attempts to paint a few words on the pictures.
If you don't agree with my interpretations below, feel free to share your views.

After losing one antenna, the snail continues to inch forward.

It stopped to reflect if it was on the right path, made necessary adjustments before proceeding with its journey.
The snail didn't beat itself up for wasted time and wasted effort.
It appeared to be focused.

I watched the video by Matt Cutts on "Try Something New for 30 Days" at The Whimsical Gardener and decided to launch a series of 'Words in Picture' posts which consist of photos and words.

'Words in Picture' is about the 'messages' I see in the picture.
Some of these 'messages' may be left behind by critters that I meet.

I have been posting photos of critters with messages for the last few years on a haphazard basis.

What's new is that I am now posting 'Words in Picture' on a daily basis for 30 days consecutively.

Is there something new that you would like to try for 30 days?
Watch the video for inspiration.

Linking up with:
This or That Thursday
Fabulous Friday

Repair & Reuse

2011-10-31T08:45:00.000+08:00

More importantly, remember to Repair & Reuse.

Happy Halloween!

Linking up with :

Macro Monday

Mellow Yellow Monday
Creative Exchange

Fill the Frame

2011-10-12T22:13:00.000+08:00

This month's theme for Picture This Photo Contest at Gardening Gone Wild is "Fill the Frame".

Since there are so much happenings in the garden, I have easily filled many frames.

The first image is of a dragonfly on my lemon grass; one of my favourite herb.

The cosmos flowers have attracted many butterflies and I wanted to capture as many as possible in a single frame.
Alas, I managed to fill 3 butterflies in one frame but decided that less is more attractive.

There are many lady beetles too.
The above is dotted while the one below comes with stripes.

Capturing 2 lady beetles in one frame is definitely a delight!
I am glad that their family planning is about increasing their population.
They live dangerous lifestyles with booby traps surrounding them.

A lady beetle flew right into the web below but wriggled and escaped.

The spider was visibly upset though.

Back to filling frames for the contest.

Would flowers without critters be better choices?

Your input is much appreciated.

=========

13.10.11

After putting in much thought, the garden web is the one that really fills the frame...to the brim, in fact.
So, I shall select the spider with the cobweb as my entry for Picture This Photo Contest in Gardening Gone Wild.

Linking up with Macro Friday

Autumn

2011-10-10T22:34:00.001+08:00

I have been observing ducks.

It is true that birds of the same feather do flock together...usually, as shown in the photo below.
The brown ducks remind me of Autumn, whilst the white ones; Winter.

The 3 ducks below are very good friends and stick to one another all the time although they are not of the same coloured feathers.

There are always exceptions to the rule.
This trio got to represent the tropics if there are Autumn and Winter in the first photo.

Linking up with :

Quotography - Autumn

Creative Exchange
LEM Challenge - Autumn

Repose In Pictures

2011-10-04T08:36:00.000+08:00

There are several meanings of Repose which I have taken from 'The Free Dictionary'.
Pictures are 'supposed' to represent the meanings of Repose.

'tranquility'

'relax'

'calmness'

' lie in a horizontal position'

'lie dead'

'lie-in'

'lie while being supported by something'

'entrust'

Little trust can be 'reposed' in Clifford.

Let's take a look on other's take on 'Repose' at Garden Walk Garden Talk.

Linking up with :

Our World Tuesday

White Antenna Wasp Moth

2011-09-28T12:41:00.003+08:00

There are several kind of yellow banded wasp moth that look very similar to one another.
The one below is called the White Antenna Wasp Moth or Amata nigriceps.

The moth mimics a wasp which is a more formidable insect.
The mimicry provides them protection from predators that are adverse to wasps and allows them to move freely during the day.

The White Antenna Wasp Moth is obviously named as such due to the white tip on its antenna.

It has yellow and black bands on its abdomen, an orange head and a hairy thorax.

This wasp moth has black wings with translucent yellowish spots.
The hind wings are less than half the span of the fore wings and often go unnoticed.

This is just a moth attempting quite unconvincingly to look like a wasp.
A wasp has an extremely small waist.
This one needs to lose some weight!

Linking up with :

Live Every Moment - Leaf
This or That Thursday

Common Yellow Grass Butterfly

2011-09-26T13:18:00.003+08:00

The above is a Common Yellow Grass Butterfly.

I've seen a butterfly emerged from its chrysalis, underneath a leaf.
The position was similar to the above.

However, on a closer look, this yellow butterfly is not being born.

It is dying, gripped tightly by a purple spider.

Isn't it strange how similar birth and death is for this butterfly?

Here's a more pleasant image for you to leave this post with.

Have a great week!

Linking up with:

Macro Monday

Creative Exchange

Late Summer Garden

2011-09-19T20:06:00.000+08:00

We are seeing less and less of the sunshine these days.
Is Fall approaching?

Jelly Fungi (Gueniniopsis alpinus) with Pichu in the background.

I would be delighted if it is, but the truth is Fall has never arrived and quite unlikely to in the near future.
Lately, it has been raining almost daily, contributing to the fact that we see more and more of the golden fungi than the golden sunshine that we normally take for granted in a tropical country.

Cape Honey Suckle (Tecoma Capensis)

Gardening Gone Wild is having a 'Picture This Photo Contest' with the theme, 'Late Summer Garden'.
With less sunshine than normal and cooler temperature these days, I snapped lots of photos that may be suitable for this theme.

Garden Spider on a Desert Rose

White Hibiscus

Damselfly

Dragonfly

Canna Lily at a distance.

Canna Lily closed-up.

The question now is which one should be my entry?
I have decided to go with the first photo.
Thank you.

Linking up with:

Macro Monday

Creative Exchange

Serendipity on 9.9.11

2011-09-09T11:03:00.000+08:00

Serendipity is a word that was once voted as the hardest English word to translate.

According to Wikipedia, it means a 'Happy Accident' or a 'Pleasant Surprise'.

It can even mean 'Coincidence' or 'Synchronicity'.

Below are some of the photos that depicts Serendipity to me.

Compare their poses.

Mammals or reptiles, they crisscross and step on one another.

Talking about Serendipity, have you noted the date today?

9.9.11

Let's see what others' take on Serendipity are with GardenWalkGarden Talk.

Dragonflies - Red and Gold

2011-09-01T23:49:00.002+08:00

If there is something that I would post repeatedly on the first of every month in this blog, it would have to be dragonflies.

They are such pretty creatures whom are very willing to pose for me.

If you have not seen the Photo Caption for the week, come by to Caption - Fall Colors to leave your caption. Selected captions will be posted next Monday with a link to your respective blogs.

Linking up with :

Murrieta 365
Fabulous Friday
Favorite Photo of the Week

Woodworking Wasp

2011-08-29T08:41:00.001+08:00

24 Sept 2011 Update
This wasp is actually called a Lesser Banded Hornet
=======
Normally I spot the orange wasp drinking nectar.

Today I found one working hard on a wooden cable drum.
It appeared to be doing some woodworking.
I'll call this a Woodworking Wasp.

This wasp is scraping wood with its strong jaws.

The wasp rolled the wood pieces it scraped into a ball, sticking them together with saliva.

After quite a few minutes of scraping, it eventually flew away with its precious wooden ball.

The wasp flew around Pichu for a while, probably looking for an ideal spot to build its nest.

Pichu found that to be humorous.

Silly little wasp.

Linking up with :

Macro Monday
I Heart Macro
Creative Exchange
Sweet Shot Tuesday

Bottlebrush Flowers

2011-08-26T10:30:00.001+08:00

Callistemon are referred to as Bottlebrush flowers since they resemble bottlebrushes.

This particular bottlebrush tree is attracting many wasps.

The wasp appears to be cleaning up the bristles...

It must be tough cleaning up the bristles. Some areas are very hard to reach.

Linking up with :

Live Every Moment - Bokeh (first photo)
Fabulous Friday (second photo)
Better than Best (third photo)
Macro Friday

Butterfly Farm

2011-08-22T11:21:00.000+08:00

These are just some of the moths and butterflies from my garden.

When they are put together in a collage, they remind me of a Butterfly Farm.

No, I don't have a butterfly farm. I guess to have one, I would need a caterpillar farm too. How do you like the idea of a caterpillar farm?

Linking up with :

Macro Monday
Creative Exchange
Cottage Flora Thursdays

Yellow Aralia in the Limelight

2011-08-05T13:52:00.006+08:00

I grow the Yellow Aralia (Osmoxylum lineare) for its pretty soft folliage.

The flower is a bonus.

In the above photo of my pink lotus flower captured last year, the Yellow Aralia was just a backdrop.

Today it is the Yellow Aralia flower's turn to be in the limelight!

What is it in your garden that is in the limelight today?

Linking up with :

Fertilizer Friday

Fabulous Friday Challenge

Macro Friday

Dragonfly Farm

2011-08-01T08:19:00.004+08:00

There are several Butterfly Farms in the country but I have yet to see a Dragonfly Farm.

I may have a mini dragonfly farm in my garden though.

Admission is Free.

Terms & Conditions apply.

By the way, if you enjoy playing the Caption Game, feel free to drop by at Onenezz.

Linking up with :

Macro Monday

Mosaic Monday

Murrieta 365

A Wasp's Meal Interfered by an Ant

2011-07-27T08:57:00.005+08:00

Below is a series of photos of a wasp having a meal.

Note that the wasp is on the underside of a hibiscus leaf.

A black ant is approaching the scene bravely.
Why?

What is the black ant thinking?

Trying to be a hero?

Or could it be waiting for some leftover?

The wasp flew off with its meal.

I have seen a black ant protecting the mealy bugs by attacking the dragonflies.

Each time a dragonfly rest on the twig where the mealy bugs are, the ant would chase it away.

This is because ants farm mealy bugs for their secretions.

They may be small but fierce.

Any idea why the black ant approached the wasp that was having a meal?

I want to take this opportunity to wish Bom of Plant Chaser a Happy Belated Birthday and also Happy 1st Blogiversary!

Bom has requested that a post be prepared for this auspicious day.

The post must feature a genus that is listed on his site.

Little would he expect me to post on what I see underside the Hibiscus leaf.

I hope Bom like surprises!

Happy Birthday!

The red hibiscus flower above is for you!

Linking up with :

Fabulous Friday

Camera Critters

Gold Dragonfly and White Grasshopper

2011-07-22T15:04:00.001+08:00

Dragonflies come in many different colours.

For this post, you get to see a golden dragonfly found in my garden.

In my opinion it is gorgeous at every angle.

I am glad to know there are many people who appreciate little critters like I do.

In fact, Cindy Michaud, a professional artist, turned a simple photo of a white grasshopper I posted at Onenezz recently into something so amazingly beautiful below.
Do hop over to her site and check out her amazing work of art.

Rain Droplet Capture

2011-07-15T16:06:00.004+08:00

I captured snapshots of water droplets after the rain this morning.

The little twigs and leaves captured rain droplets...

...and the rain droplets captured images of twigs and leaves.

What Lady Bug Drinks

2011-06-24T15:02:00.001+08:00

Have you ever wondered what the lady bug drinks?

This particular one is drinking nectar from a longan flower.

(Dimorcarpus longan)

Red Dragonfly

2011-06-18T23:45:00.002+08:00

Below are photos of a red dragonfly at my willow tree and pandan leaves.

Weekend Reflections

2011-06-17T23:23:00.000+08:00

This is the reflection I saw behind the sales office in Setia Ecopark.

I thought it was a pretty sight but wonder how many have noticed due to its not so prominent location.

Linking to Weekend Reflections

Dying Beauty

2011-06-17T13:05:00.005+08:00

This dying Zinnia caught my attention.
With death, there is no prevention.

However, we can choose peace before expiration,
& grace while still in action.

- the unenlightened One

Yellows in the Garden

2011-06-10T13:37:00.010+08:00

Here are some of the yellow flowers and yellow insects in the garden.

A little black Praying Mantis preying for food on a yellow Cosmos flower.

Another yellow Sunflower about to bloom.

2 Common Yellow Butterflies mating.
I missed the time they were dating.

Yellow Dill flowers bolting.

Yellow Zinnia flowers

An Eggfly among yellow Cosmos.

A fly on dill flowers.

It's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day on the 15th of each month at May Dreams Garden.

Watery Wasp

2011-06-08T08:41:00.002+08:00

This paper wasp was stuck in a puddle of water.

I usually do not interfere with a bug's life but this one appeared to desperately need help.

I felt the right thing to do was to break the 'water bag' at its abdomen to lighten its burden.

As it crawled, it was able to get rid of the excess water on its own.
Do you hear a big sigh of relief?

Linking up with Watery Wednesday.

Reflecting

2011-06-03T23:20:00.003+08:00

I took this photo with a point and shoot camera a very long time ago.

It's about time to link up with Weekend Reflections.

I got the idea of taking such a photo from Rosie's blog.

Citrus Butterfly

2011-05-28T21:51:00.002+08:00

There are many butterflies in the garden.

This is a citrus butterfly which has been very accommodative in allowing its photos to be taken from various angles.

It takes several weeks for an egg to eventually become a butterfly but it survives only about 5 days in this beautiful state.

Happy Family

2011-05-03T15:39:00.002+08:00

This photo came about because I found two heart-shaped potatoes.

Since they looked kind of lonely, I added an onion, a garlic and some bird's eye chillies.

Don't they look like a Happy Family now posing under a crystal tree?

I am entering this photo in GGW Picture this Contest.

The topic of the contest is "Lighting : A Closer Look".

If you look closely, you can actually see the reflection of this Happy Family.

Cape Honeysuckle

2011-04-19T19:01:00.002+08:00

Cape Honeysuckle

Tecoma capensis

Cape Honeysuckle with Sunrise

These photos of Cape Honeysuckle were taken during sunrise.

Photos taken from slightly different angles produced quite dramatic differences although they were all captured at about the same time.

I'm submitting one of these photos to Picture This Contest at Gardening Gone Wild.

Weeds Loving Creatures

2010-10-24T15:20:00.002+08:00

This is not the usual bright coloured butterfly.

Nevertheless, I think it looks pretty sipping nectar from a pink wild flower.

Dear friends,

Thank you for coming by today.

You can read the rest of the post HERE.

ATTENTION

I have decided to weed out one of my blogs.

Tropical Nature Photos will be posted in ONENEZZ in the future.

Kindly follow Onenezz if you are interested to view such photos.

Thank you for following this blog.

Unidentified Flying Objects

2010-10-05T22:57:00.000+08:00

I have some photos of Unidentified Flying Objects.

I don't know if all the above flies but they were all on high level.

The blue insect was found pushing the dead dragonfly.

This is the only object I am able to identify; an exoskeleton of a grasshopper.

If you have the names to any of the above, I'll most deeply appreciate them.

The Birds and the Bees

2010-09-30T21:26:00.000+08:00

This is a post about the birds and the bees without the birds and the bees.

Wedding photo of Common Grass Yellow Butterflies.

Left : Male

Right : Female

Orange butterflies holding on to a 'wedding bouquet'.

White Antenna Wasp Moths dating amongst wild flowers.

The moths drew a heart discreetly under a leave...perhaps using their white antennae.

The moths tied the knot.
Top : Male
Bottom : Female

Yellow Ladybugs

Bright Yellow : Male

Pale Yellow : Female

Snails are hermaphrodites.

A grasshopper nymph was found near my hibiscus flower buds.

Could the parents be in My Nice Garden ?

Another pair of blue butterflies were found in the garden of Andrea of This Lifetime.

Childhood Photos of Ladybugs

2010-09-20T17:52:00.005+08:00

Have you seen these small six-legged monstrous looking creatures in your garden?

When they grow up, they should look like alligators with 2 extra legs, right?

But nature is as such that they become cute little ladybugs instead.

Ladybugs belong to the beetle family.

They have dome-shaped backs and flat undersides.

Their markings differ considerably though.

The above ladybug has zig-zag stripes instead of spots.

I usually spot it zig-zagging on my chilli plants.

The first photo above is its childhood photo.

I must admit there is no resemblance in colour nor in shape whatsoever.

Some ladybugs have no spots at all especially if they have just emerged from their pupae.

Some remain spotless.

A yellow bug is less commonly seen.

I found them on my mulberry plant feeding on mildew.
For its childhood photo, please refer to the second photo in this post.

This particular bug is a leaf eater as you can see.

Unlike the others, it is not shiny but hairy instead.
I found this one on my tomato plant weaving patterns on the leaves.

Ladybugs usually lay their eggs in clusters beneath leaves.

A larva and a pupa.

Different stages of yellow pupae in meditative mode that lasts for 7 days.

A yellow ladybug newly emerges from its pupa.

Empty pupa.

The darker yellow ladybug is a male while the lighter yellow one is a female.

The female kept running away from the camera.

Ladybugs, I sincerely apologize for the disturbance I must have caused.

You can have your privacy now.

Dragonflies in Setia Alam Part 2

2010-09-09T16:56:00.009+08:00

Dragonflies are a very ancient order of insects and fossils exist from more than 300 million years ago.

Dragonflies are active and aggressive carnivores, both as adults and as young preying mostly on other insects.

Dragonflies come in many different colours and patterns.

Male dragonflies are usually more colourful and attractive whereas the female has duller colours.

The adults have massively large eyes and may each contain as many as 30 000 individual lenses!

This last photo is dedicated to Bangchik.

From the dragonfly's side-view, you can see that it is merely doing a balancing act.

Definitely not a weight lifter :)

Dragon Flies in Setia Alam

2010-08-24T17:37:00.000+08:00

The nature theme in Setia Alam is Dragonfly.

True enough, one can see many varieties here. Below are just a few of them which agreed with the photo-shooting session.