Category: Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects

BEAUTY IN THE WILDERNESS

By livelifeandlove on March 29, 2013

As the soil dries up in the wild, feathery looks of a wild grass flower has its own intrinsic beauty as blown by the wind in the wild.These is a beautiful ornamental grass that can be use for decorative purposes,they have become more widely popular. Some wild grasses with creamy white flowers have been grown for certain purposes, they have been grown till they dried up and cut when they reach maturity but according to our gardener,over-exposure to full sun makes them brittle.

I took this shot on top of the mountain in Tagaytay city.Perhaps,If you won’t climb,you’ll not see the beauty of the life.In a hot and dry lands,these wild grass can survive in the wild even without water.Along the mountain top,you can see flowering trees around that normally live for many years.

Other types of wild plants are found practically around,rare species of evergreen,clusters of white wildflowers and charming shrubs which is not easy to grow.

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GYPSY MOTH CATERPILLARS

By livelifeandlove on March 19, 2013

The Gypsy moth caterpillar is a garden pest that resembles the looks of a cacti.The close-up images shows the over all external features that it has needle-like spines and brisly hair-like spines too. Although many species of worms has hair that looks like spines,the hair is soft and considerably smooth to touch. This is to protect them from predators.Great numbers of gypsy moth caterpillars in the garden is a total damage to the leaves of plants and trees. I found these caterpillars eating the leaf of an atis tree(a fruit tree), peppers the leaves leaving the with big holes and sometimes, consumming everything leaving only skeleton of a leaf.

(Clock on images to view larger)

This is the most stunning and stylish worms I’ve ever seen. The short hairdo at the top is delightfully a hairstyle.The appearance of the greenish body is just like a branching ribs.

Appearing on this image above, the Gypsy moth caterpillar’s body has a radial and needle-like spines which is soft.

Looks like a real cacti.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

FRUIT OF THE BIRDS

By livelifeandlove on March 18, 2013

Grey Wagtail bird with a fruit in its beak.

Most gardens has a fruit tree of some kind,or at least the fruit bearing trees that attracts the insects and the birds.Particularly our own garden has some kind; Manzanita fruit which the birds loves,Papaya,Chico and Atis. The grey wagtail and tree sparrows keeps coming back because of this fruits.These fruits are freshy, moist inside and sugary sweet tastes that the birds feast on it. Sometimes the fruit dries up and gradually will open after ripens and others will just naturally fall and it’s up for the birds to pick it up.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

CACTI

By livelifeandlove on March 16, 2013

Month of March is summer in the Philippines.During summer,work increases and gives me the chance for an outdoor gardening.Since we are now experiencing the direct heat of the sun, perfect time to plant any variety of cacti because it suits the dry area of the garden and surely flourish in equally full sunlight.Most species of cacti have hard spine and I hate the needle-like protruding spines. Preferably, I would like to have the kind with a white hair growing on the stem and the rounded bearing red,pink and yellow flowers. Although half part of the garden is moist. With careful selection,an original flowering plants may be added so, it would be subdivided into different kinds of plants. Planting some beautiful varieties of flowering plants depends on the climate and the kind of soil where you live.I just hope the drainage will work out well for the new flowering plants.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

BLUE TONGUE LIZARD

By livelifeandlove on March 14, 2013

Blue tongue lizard is 9 inches long with a shiny grey spot which is pale in color.

A common sight visiting the garden everyday.I’ve found this Blue tongue lizard inside the rock hole beside the pond.The hole is the main quarter which serves as a good shelter from the sun and a perfect place to hibernate.The pond is cool and moist place which is good for the body temperature.It’s hard to distinguish whether it’s male or female.According to my research, Male lizards are orange or red dotted with black,the female is paler.I guess,it’s a female one because it’s paler in color. Some lizards can regenerate tail if it is lost and shed their skin in several pieces. The house lizard which is common inside the house is one good example. When the tail was cut off, the other part is still moving and seems alive after it’s been cut off.Lizards feed on insects like bees, spiders and worms.Sometimes, climbing the walls,rocks and trees.However,this lizard loves to steal food meant for the dogs.Every time the dog turns away, this reptile comes out to steal it. Food scraps is sometimes a special attraction for this blue tongue lizard.Got lots of dogs around and I hope,lizard bite is not as fatal as the snake.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

SCARAB BEETLE

By livelifeandlove on February 27, 2013

Scarab beetle

There are more than 4000,000 types of beetles.Some has colored and shiny outer cases and shiny spots which is very attractive that glows in the dark.Other beetles has powerful jaws and very active at night.Scarab beetle has 2 sets of wings;the uppers wings converted into hard sheathes which protect the lower wings. The lower wings is not as hard and durable as the upper wings,the lower is the real wings and has a shiny and transparent texture.

Last night, I’ve found this adult scarab beetle which is black and shiny. It was very easy to locate the whereabouts of beetles when they make a lot of buzzing sound at night. It was really a strange sound that disrupts the peacefulness of the night. I’ve found it near the indoor plants.It seems restless and sending a midnight message to the same species.

For photography, I picked it up with a piece of stick. I was very cautious not to use my fingers to avoid the big claws getting closer.After,I set it free outside to remain undisturbed.I had probably washed my hands 3 times after that. However,beetles are considered as a beneficial insect that is good and reliable as natural pest control.Having beneficial insects around us is a big help to our gardeners, they don’t need to spray pesticides anymore.Everyone seems to know about the effective solution.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

EARLY BEE GETS THE SWEETEST NECTAR

By livelifeandlove on February 22, 2013

Early bees gets the sweetest nectar.Just like the practice of humans,first-come,first served basis. Here’s the lucky ones,the first honeybees to pollinate flowers in the morning.

(Click on images to view larger)

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

ARTIFICIAL BACKGROUND IMAGES

By livelifeandlove on December 10, 2012

Today, An idea hit me! What about using an artificial background ? I learned this idea from a good friend who happens to be a professional photographer of Daily magazines. I just discovered that photos can be taken using techniques too.Previously, I have applied to a tree sparrow and thought it will also works for the honeybees. Using artificial background is just as deceiving your sight too. I’m aware of these. I know it will not come out to be a natural but, I want to try all sorts.It was an easy trick! See if it works, I’m worried what the result would be…..

Check my previous post for more…

BLOGGER AS A PHOTOGRAPHER

How did I do it?

Oh well,Got 3 A’s photography here. 3-A’s stands for Awful, Annoying and amazing photographs. The idea was simple and easy.I tried hanging colored cardboard, some printed piece of magazines and colored art papers just behind the flower. All i have to do is to wait for the proper timing,waiting for the coming of honeybees to pollinate the said flower. It does not take longer since the bees keeps coming back many times to pollinate it again and again.At times, backing off to give ample time for the honeybees to get used to the presence of the light colored board.

The result is good as well as funny and annoying ! What do you think? I was able to get good shots and wasting some too.There’s no harm trying,I can just correct my funny trial and error game! In photography,you can cut major body parts accidentally without even knowing it.You can cut the head, sometimes one arm is missing ,sometimes, head is present without the body. It was all part of learning.

The result of images taken, It works for some, but, not as good as expected. Others are just good to reward my effort. The good thing about this experience,It was easy,no editing needed,no important piece of equipment needed,no interchangeable lenses,no tripod and you can even use a pocked-sized camera which is more lighter to handle to turn quickly fast to the left and right.

(Click on images to view larger)

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

Blogger as a Photographer

By livelifeandlove on November 14, 2012

Last summer,It was too hot and it makes me tired to photograph all my scheduled subjects.I took a snap in the morning,just before lunch time and continued to finish all the way through.Everyday is just a practice,being hopeful the sky is clear and the wind will not blow. Bright blue sky gives a brighter color. There were times when the wind blows, the petals of the flowers drifted away,that would be very disappointing for the honeybees to pollinate it.Having these flowers that supplies food in the form of a nectar and pollen is good for the pollinators.I’m glad that our own garden provides the right flowers to attract different kinds of insects such as: honeybees, butterflies,dragonflies, worms,etc.

I’m not a photographer but, I’m one of the persevering few seeking suggestions from pros! I can honestly say that If you love good images of nature and life,no matter if you are a pro or not! We have the same thing in common.We are all interested to give justice and to contribute to the beauty of nature.However, Photography for me is more than a hobby, I need quality images for blogging purposes. What do you think? It would be interesting to read an article with complete illustration,pictures, short texts that will help you understand what I’m talking about.It’s my own way to lessen the words hence, making it shorter and understandable.

Luckily, I’ve collected some good images, hence,giving me more interest to continue my hobby but, I got bored of the same subject and color of my surroundings. I feel like there is something missing, the image itself is not a good result.I got tired of my existing photos and wasn’t happy with it anymore.

(click on images to view larger)

My interesting subject of science, ‘‘The Honeybees as an agent of pollination.‘‘It’ fun to bond with my morning visitors in the garden.I can just simply include myself as an extra here!

Today, An idea hit me! What about using an artificial background? I learned this idea from a good friend who happens to be a professional photographer of Daily magazines. I just discovered that photos can be taken using techniques too.Previously, I have applied to a tree sparrow and thought it will also works for the honeybees. Using artificial background is just as deceiving your sight too. I’m aware of these. I know it will not come out to be a natural but, I want to try all sorts.It was an easy trick! See if it works, I’m worried what the result would be.

How did I do it?

Oh well, Got 3 A’s photography here. 3-A’s stands for Awful,Annoying andamazing photographs. The idea was simple and easy.I tried hanging colored cardboard, some printed piece of magazines and colored art papers just behind the flower. All i have to do is to wait for the proper timing,waiting for the coming of honeybees to pollinate the said flower. It does not take longer since the bees keeps coming back many times to pollinate it again and again.At times, backing off to give ample time for the honeybees to get used to the presence of the light colored board.

Now, let us check the result.If you find it annoying,well, as I’ve said, it’s a part of learning! I want you to know that these website of mine is the right place to comment, you can raise all your concerns and suggestions. You can even criticize it,I swear! I will welcome criticisms as long as you’ll do it dramatically graceful cause it hurts. LOL!

Check the 2 images below.

The Honeybee at sunrise

The Honeybee at sunset

Using artificial background to both images, To compare both photographs of the sunrise and the sunset, Is it noticeable? According to some viewers, it creates a dramatic atmosphere.

This is a dreamy land for the honeybee.I have used a printed material behind the flower for a brighter background.

The start of spring

The garden setting, and again, I have use a garden background from a colorful page of the magazine.

The honeybee together with the dinosaur. Its hard to to position the dinosaur image behind. It looks strange,isn’t it? Note: View more images next post.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

Morning Butterfly

By livelifeandlove on November 8, 2012

It’s easier to get up of bed in the morning when you’ve got task to achieve, it’s just an hour time of my daily habit that makes my day refreshing to enjoy the beautiful things around me.I really believe that when a habit becomes one, you’ll really find time to do it. I don’t need to go elsewhere, the treasure is already here in our backyard, although our garden is still recovering from the storm lately.

Guess? It’s exciting, easy and inexpensive, it’s photography time comes next after my daily work-out. This new one is tough to photograph,wind was blowing and the flowers are shaking, I was sweating a lot following these stunning butterflies.What an effort to catch a shot, it took more than 15 minutes to succeed but the natural beauty of this butterfly will touch your senses. Got 2 images this time.

You may also want:

BUTTERFLIES COMPLETE MOVEMENT OF BEES …

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