December 31, 2012

Plenty of Butterflies to be seen all over at the moment, but this pretty little creature is extra special.

This photo also completes year 3 of my Daily Photo Journal.

This last day of 2013 has been very hot and we were left in the dark again after a mild electrical storm.

Eskom must have quite a sense of humour because the power was eventually restored 

shortly before midnight - just in time for the countdown to 2013!

Best wishes for 2013 - may you experience Light, Love and Laughter throughout the year.

Thank you for the popping in to see what was seen @maggiezlenz every day.

December 30, 2012

What a face!

December 29, 2012

Caught in the act...

December 28, 2012

A Lilac Breasted Rollers perched overhead.

Such beautiful colours reflected against a cloudless sky.

Whenever I see one of these I can't help but wonder whether it is one that hatched in our garden.

December 27, 2012

Today was my 45th visit to the park since the beginning of this year!

My intention was to set the record at 52 visits for the year, but I doubt that I would make it  :(

Despite all these visits, I have NEVER seen a snake in the park.

Today we were privileged to witness one snake eating another.

Scary stuff, but what an awesome viewing!

 The view 'atmaggieztree' has changed somewhat since I first posted a photo taken at this spot.
Please click here to view the scene after the fires that ripped through the
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park during August.

December 26, 2012

With the electricity supply still not restored, we decided to visit False Bay Park.

False Bay lake is part of the Isimangaliso Wetlands in KZN, South Africa.

An  awesome site! The lake has regained its former glory after having been dry for so long.

Even the Pelicans are smiling and looking very smug.  This has to be my favourite photo ever.

The electricity supply was eventually restored after 24 hours.  How accustomed we have become to flicking a switch, and how unprepared we are when nothing happens when we flick it .....

December 25, 2012

Spider eats Spider

We experienced extremely hot weather on Christmas day that ended in 

quite a severe storm in the afternoon. At about 4pm the electricity went off (the norm here during a storm) and we decided to make our way back home.  When I brought the car closer for my Mom, I noticed this feast on the fender. 

The electricity did not come on during the night as hoped.

December 24, 2012

Today I bring you a photo of the Spider that delivered my Christmas Tree ;)

Wishing all the visitors to this blog a happy and joyful Christmas!

December 23, 2012

Colourful and unidentified.

Is it a Moth? Is it a Butterfly? My guess is Butterfly, but I could be wrong.

It has hooked antennae like a Skipper or Police Butterfly. Perhaps it is related.

Whenever I approached it would take off to feed on the other side of the shrub.

To get this shot, I had to stand at quite a distance and zoom in.

Unfortunately it turned out to be a rather noisy shot :(

December 22, 2012

This little creature seems to have a deformed wing.

It might also be newly hatched and the wing still has some unfolding to do.

The white markings look like a mask 

I can see your heads tilting to the right ;)

December 21, 2012

Happiness: is the privilege of being able to post a photo on "doomsday"!

There are so many spiders in my garden at the moment. 

This one, however deserved the spot today- it decided to stay put on it's Daisy until the very end!

(of the daisy, that is....)

December 20, 2012

There are hundreds of these little Butterflies flitting around our garden at the moment.

There seems to be a 'need to breed' frenzy going on and therefore they are on the move all the time.

This guy must have been quite exhausted to have perched among the thorns!

I visited my brother last week end and they are currently experiencing an abundance of Dragon Flies.

They too were not still for a minute - constantly skimming through the air in search of food (or a mate?)

December 19, 2012

If yesterdays Crab Spider could take lessons in camouflage from this guy it would be as fat in no time.

At first I thought I was looking at a fly doing a hand stand, but then I noticed a yellow leg move.

This photo was taken with my Nokia N8 because I did not have a camera with me.

The N8's camera has a 12MP Carl Zeiss lens. 

It takes great photos but I have never really used it much.

December 18, 2012

A little Crab Spider that has not had a lesson in blending in with the background!

In comparison, the Yellow Lantana looks like a hUge flower, when in fact they are quite tiny..

Yellow Lantana is thought to be non-invasive, because it is sterile. 

People have said that in time it will swap genes with nearby invasive Lantana.

Fortunately there are no other Lantana plants around.

The plant has decorated my fence for 6 years, attracted many insects

and so played a major roll in my daily photo journal!

December 17, 2012

The flash accentuates the hairy face of this fly.

Overlapping black hairs down the centre of the head creates the illusion that the eyes 

are held together with cross stitching!

December 16, 2012

Giving me the eye

This Cricket-like creature spent quite some time in the cold-room at the boarding school!

Poor thing probably came in with the vegetables.

I photographed a similar one in 2010 that has a top spot in the title banner of this blog.

The banner was made by my friend Rodney Field with photos that he downloaded from my Facebook page.

Rodney lives on a yacht in Botany Bay with a deaf canine companion called Penny. 

Their interesting website The Dog Paddler is well worth a visit.

(I am quite proud of the fact that I managed to figure out how to post links on my blog ☺)

December 15, 2012

Sawubona - Hello!

The Woza Zulu project that I posted about on 26 November 2012  opened today.
It is the most amazing little place with a wide selection beautiful Zulu crafts and bead work.
My plan was to create a collage for my post today, but I am just too tired to attempt it ;)
I will post it as soon as I have the time....

December 14, 2012

When there is nothing else to be found, these little Daisies are always willing to pose for a photo!

December 13, 2012

These Vygie flowers always seem to have a light shining from within.

The Hoverfly is a regular visitor.

12.12.12 (but sadly not @ 12 :12)

My plan was to take a photo at exactly 12 minutes past twelve today. Unfortunately I got a bit busy at school and the moment passed me by!  Gone! An opportunity that I will never have again. Last year I was privileged to take a photo at 11:11 of a young lady that turned 11 on 11.11.11. 

When I arrived home from school today(with the whole office packed into my car - just in case I missed work too much!) this Blue headed Agama was hanging around the carport next door. 

I have seen it around often but not been able to get a photo.

This guy was lucky enough to survive the terrible ordeal of not being able to eat  

He turned his head in all directions as if to show off the scar. 

One wonders about the cause of such an injury.

December 11, 2012

Nesting in the Chili Tree.

How amazing is the construction of this spider's nest!

The babies can be clearly seen in the close-up below.

Mommy can also be seen towards the top under the web.

These look like Lynx Spiders, but I am not sure.

I planned to take another photo this afternoon, but unfortunately did not have time to do so.

We have had quite a lot of rain - hopefully I can get another shot at the babies tomorrow.

December 10, 2012

The beautiful Prickly Pear flowers provide nourishment for an assortment of insects.

These Beetles dig deep inside to find the sweet nectar, while the abundance of pollen

attract a variety of bees. On the down side - those wretched CMR Beetles have also made an appearance and soon all open flowers will be destroyed.

December 9, 2012

One would be wise have a good look before you stop and smell the roses!

 Considering that these little rose blooms are only about 2 to 3 cm in diameter, 

the Spider is really quite small. 

December 8, 2012

This tiny Jumping Spider was wandering around on a small battered 

silver jug that I have used as a planter. The tarnished silver creates a lovely background.

Despite the little Jumper's size it already has very distinct markings.

December 7, 2012

Big, bigger, biggest. 

Quite an obliging (unidentified) creature!!

It let me get closer and closer and then suddenly decided that I was 'pushing it', and took off

December 6, 2012

While trying to photograph a horde of little butterflies flitting around 

the flowering weeds in the overgrown backyard, 

I spotted fairies dancing around this little mushroom in the undergrowth.... 

By the time that I had crawled closer, been covered in blackjacks, attacked by a thousand hungry mosquitoes and finally got the subject into focus, the fairies were gone :)

Jokes aside - it really is a jungle out there! I was quite worried that I might be attacked by 

something much larger than a mosquito!

December 5, 2012

Today we were blessed with 34 mm of rain and more is forecast for tomorrow.

I love summer rain - bright and sunny weather one moment - overcast and thundering the next - 

and then the sound and smell of heavy rain  - it leaves me in awe of Creation.

December 4, 2012

A Stink bug clad in a lovely bronze outfit with bright orange trimmings.

Do these bugs really stink?

December 3, 2012

So far, this week has been very spider-ish!

I found this little guy on a Black Eyed Susan flower.

Quite clever the way it sitting under the stems while waiting for an unsuspecting insect.

Last night I gave up on this post because I could not load the photo.

Let us hope that the problem has been sorted.

December 2, 2012

A tiny baby Spider that has clearly not yet mastered the art of blending in with the background!
I have often seen this type of spider in the garden but have been unable to identify them.

December 1, 2012

The Boarding School has been without a gardener for a while and we subsequently 

have miniature forests of Dandelion all over the lawn.

My guess is that we will have a major problem next year when all the scattered seed starts to grow.

With regular cutting, these plants do not get to the opportunity to come into seed.

November 30, 2012

This Mosquito was sitting a Miniature Rose that grows on the fence.

The eyes came a quite a surprise!

(Click on the photo to see a larger version)

November 29, 2012

This Dragonfly stopped briefly, giving me the opportunity to take a quick photo.

Although harsh sunlight took its toll, somehow the blue eyes seem to make up for it.

November 28, 2012

This Caterpillar is known as a "Mopane Worm" 

 Gonimbrasia belina is a species of moth found in much of southern Africa, whose large edible caterpillar, the mopani or mopane worm, is an important source of protein for millions of Southern Africans. 

I am truly thankful that I have never been that hungry :)

Read more about these at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonimbrasia_belina

November 27, 2012

Another death-trap in the Daisies.

This little Crab Spider blended in very well with the background while

a Hover Fly was hovering (!) around an adjacent Daisy.

Unfortunately it started to rain and I could not wait around for it to land 

on the Daisy where the Spider was waiting patiently for supper.

Remains of a previous meal can be seen on the extreme right.

November 26, 2012

Doing it in style....

New developments at Zulu Croc Reptile Park outside Hluhluwe really draws the eye!

I couldn't resist to stop for a photo.

If you are planning a trip to our beautiful town and surrounds, be sure to have 

Zulu Croc Reptile Park on your itinerary!

www.zulucroc.co.za

The structure is part of an initiative of Africa!Ignite. The following is copied from their website:

"The National Development Agency (NDA), Africa!Ignite is establishing a network of tourist marketplaces across the province under the WOWZULU brand, to integrate craft and tourism development and provide opportunities for local craft entrepreneurs to grow their businesses."

November 25, 2012

A beautiful Caterpillar - I wonder whether it will become a Moth or a Butterfly.

November 24, 2012

What initially seemed to be a plain Grasshopper, turned out to be quite amazing little creature.
Unfortunately it was quite windy and the Sunflower plant
on which is was sitting kept swaying, making it rather difficult to focus.
The more I look at the photo, the more it seems as if  there is a neon light in its abdomen!
Such beautiful eyes, too!  I would have loved to get a different angle on this one if it was not so windy!

November 23, 2012

This little Crab Spider caught a Hover Fly that is twice its size.

A lesson in life? Take care not to land on the wrong daisies...

November 22, 2012

Pollen grains and rain drops.

These flowers are called 4 O'clocks because they open in the afternoon and are 

pollinated by moths that fly at night.

We have had drizzly cool weather and more rain is expected over the next few days.

November 21, 2012

The Fly. 

We have been without power for most of the evening. 

Although I could continue work on my laptop, I did not have an internet connection.

November 20, 2012

Well camouflaged and nestled in a dead miniature rose, I doubt that this Lynx Spider is waiting for an unsuspecting insect to approach. Judging by the way the petals have been strung together, the little rose has probably been converted into a nest. THIS one will be well worth watching!

Last year throughout August I posted various photos of a Crab Spider waiting for eggs to hatch.

The babies eventually emerged on 28 august 2011 and I had the privilege of posting photos of the event.

I have tried for a number of days to get a photo of this one, but the Spider would make a dash and hide as soon as I raised the camera. It must be getting used to me, because today it just sat there. 

To avoid getting too close, I used a macro converter to try and get a shot of the face.

How amazing are the four little horns!