Thursday, July 14, 2011

Bug hunting

“Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all.”
- Brian Jackman



Something I haven't done for a l-o-n-g time is to go bug hunting. There again, haven't needed to, as I haven't had anybody in my "animal hospital' recently that needs feeding bugs! But this morning I decided to specifically go and look for something to sketch. It was quite a job - thanks to my chickens, my garden seems to be devoid of insects! However, I did manage to find quite a selection at my pond, which is in a fenced area and rarely gets visited by the chickens.

One of my most exciting finds, was a Water Beetle or Diving Beetle in the pond. These insects only visit a healthy water system and I was ecstatic to see him. I let him be, because I know better than to try and catch him! - they deliver a VERY painful, stinging bite, which lingers for ages! So I did a quick sketch while he sat quietly next to a rock just under the water surface.

My next exciting find was a little thin-tailed scorpion as I over-turned one of the rocks. These little fellas are fairly harmless and non-venomous, but I definitely wasn't going to risk a sting, so he was also quickly sketched before I coaxed him to a new hiding place.

My third find, besides a grasshopper I managed to catch, was a dead wasp lying on the lawn. Her I could bring inside and sketch at leisure. It was a Mud Dauber, and one of my favourite wasps. I've never found them to sting, not even when caught, and I let them be in the house while they dart in and out collecting mud for wherever they're building their mud nest, usually in a corner up against the ceiling, and every now and then it's removal time when I haven't seen any activity near the nest for some time.

10 comments:

  1. These are great. We just started a sketchbook society on Facebook and we'd love to see more work from nature sketchers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/sketchbookers hope to see you there!

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  2. Everything in SC bites, too, Maree :) Me especially :) Great page. I love the pots the mud dauber's create.

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  3. I was just sketching Mudd Daubers the other day,, they are so unusual,

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  4. these are great sketches--and diving beetles are so amazing--have you ever seen one catch a small fish? they are a little scary to watch in action!

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  5. Thanks a lot Juan, appreciate your stopping by!

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  6. Ha ha! Thanks a lot PJ! I can't remember when last I was bitten by something, except that Water Beetle a couple of years ago, even mozzies don't touch me! And no, I DON'T eat a lot of garlic! Smile!

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  7. One just HAS to love those Daubers Laurie, I also think they're absolutely great!

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  8. Thank you Mary! No, I haven't, not the Beetle, that must be quite a sight, he's so small! But I HAVE watched the Naiads (Dragonfly larvae) catch the fish. Now THERE'S something really scary! lol!

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  9. Whoa - what an entry! Great bug sketches, great bugs!

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  10. Wow, thanks a lot Nina! Glad you like this one!

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