It finally rained….
you could almost hear the sigh of relief in the air…
and the little humming birds seemed the happiest of all
beautiful, beautiful all day rain….
I was taking pictures of my black-eyed Susans when I spotted this huge black wasp, busily sipping nectar from the last of the veronica blooms. This thing is about as long as my thumb!
Now I’m used to seeing the Cicada wasps flying around (unnerving as they are while they buzz around you if you get too close to their burrow), but since I’ve never seen this one, I did a little bit of research.
It is actually called a Great Black Wasp. I’d say the name fits, don’t you agree?
It’s also known as a Katydid Hunter or a Steel Blue Cricket Hunter. Just as the cicada wasps hunt cicadas, the Great Black Wasp hunts katydids and crickets, burying the paralyzed insects in the ground with their eggs.
Interestingly though, the adults only eat nectar.
Unlike me, my hibiscus is just loving this hot weather!
While we’re at it, here’s a few more heat loving blooms from my garden…..
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| black eyed susans |
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| Mandevilla vine |
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| blackberry lily |
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| gazania daisy |
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| Midwest-land in the dead of winter…burr! |
If this heat keeps up, this is going to start looking good–>
and this Hawaiian ain’t very fond of snow….
Gazania Daisy (Asteraceae), thriving in this heatwave.
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| Annabell Hydrangea ~ Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ |
Summer’s in full swing now and so is the garden…
So here’s a few more blooms for you to enjoy.
Happy Summer!
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| Marigolds (Tagetes sp.) |
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| False Sunflower, Heliopsis |
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| Spider Web Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum arachnoideu) go here for post with this plant |
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| Munstead Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) |
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| Blanket Flower, Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ |
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| Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium purpureum ~ pre-bloom |
Daisies
by: Rose Terry Cooke (1827-1892)
Fair and peaceful daisies,
Smiling in the grass,
Who hath sung your praises?
Poets by you pass,
And I alone am left to celebrate your mass.
In the summer morning,
Through the fields ye shine,
Joyfully adorning
Earth with grace divine,
And pour, from sunny hearts, fresh gladness into mine.
Lying in the meadows,
Like the milky way,
From nocturnal shadows
Glad to fall away,
And live a happy life in the wide light of day.
Bees about you humming
Pile their yellow store,
Winds in whispers coming
Teach you love’s sweet lore,
For your reluctant lips still worshipping the more.
Birds with music laden
Shower their songs on you;
And the rustic maiden,
Standing in the dew,
By your alternate leaves tells if her love be true.
Little stars of glory!
From your amber eyes
No inconstant story
Of her love should rise!
And yet “He loves me not!” is oft the sad surprise.
Crowds of milk-white blossoms!
Noon’s concentred beams
Glowing in your bosoms;
So, by living streams
In heaven, I think the light of flowers immortal gleams.
When your date is over,
Peacefully ye fade,
With the fragrant clover
And sweet grasses laid,
In odors for a pall beneath the orchard shade.
Happy, happy daisies!
Would I were like you,
Pure from human praises,
Fresh with morning dew,
And ever in my heart to heaven’s clear sunshine true!
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| Daisy Lou |
“Hay! Was that about me?”
Lil's Garden Tour 