Update on changes in our garden

Can you see the caterpillar skin? This is a chrysalis we found on a stalk of lavender. 

We wonder what the black marks on the chrysalis are and if they will affect the butterfly.

The paper wasp is after nectar. Look at the segments on its legs.

The other end of the paper wasp.

Another butterfly hatches.

Can you see how its wings are crumpled up to start with? It takes a while for the fluid to spread to all parts of the wings, so they are strong enough to fly.

Too many aphids!

Watch out aphids! Here comes a ladybird.

Two lady birds. Are they herding aphids?

We had to rescue this chrysalis because the caterpillar attached itself to a dead leaf - which then fell off the plant. Can you see the butterfly forming?

Jason watched the garden for a long time and took many photos. He discovered that the bees pierce the base of the flower to get the nectar. can you see this happening here?  Look for marks on the flowers where the bees have done this.

Can you see the bee piercing the flower to get the nectar?

Just because we like the look of this flower.

The next day: The butterfly is clearly visible inside the chysalis. We watched this for a long time.  The chrysalis has a visitor. We wondered why the snail would want to crawl all the way up the plant to this leaf? 

Another lady bird on the look out for aphids.

The snail moves along.

It must be very cramped in here!

Jason took a fantastic photo of a bee piercing the flower to get the nectar. Maybe the flower is too long for the bee to get the nectar any other way?

This is a fantastic photo, Jason.  You could be a nature photographer.

Can you see the hole the bee left?