Master Gardeners of Ventura County
University of California
Master Gardeners of Ventura County

Posts Tagged: photography

2023: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

There's no fame, fortune or glory in writing a daily (volunteer) Bug Squad blog. It's about the insects. It's always been about the insects, from honey bees to bumble bees, to butterflies, to dragonflies, to praying mantises and more.  Why? Just...

A golden dung fly, Scathophaga stercoraria, peers at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A golden dung fly, Scathophaga stercoraria, peers at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A golden dung fly, Scathophaga stercoraria, peers at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Two native bees, Melissodes agilis, buzz over a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Two native bees, Melissodes agilis, buzz over a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Two native bees, Melissodes agilis, buzz over a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Two Gulf Fritillaries, Agraulis vanillae, keeping busy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Two Gulf Fritillaries, Agraulis vanillae, keeping busy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Two Gulf Fritillaries, Agraulis vanillae, keeping busy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A lady beetle, aka lady bug, devouring aphids. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A lady beetle, aka lady bug, devouring aphids. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A lady beetle, aka lady bug, devouring aphids. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Three in one: a crab spider, katydid and a native bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Three in one: a crab spider, katydid and a native bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Three in one: a crab spider, katydid and a native bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A flameskimmer dragonfly, Libellula saturata, looking or prey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A flameskimmer dragonfly, Libellula saturata, looking or prey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A flameskimmer dragonfly, Libellula saturata, looking or prey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, gathering nectar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, gathering nectar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, gathering nectar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A honey bee, Apis mellifera, in flight over a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A honey bee, Apis mellifera, in flight over a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A honey bee, Apis mellifera, in flight over a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A bumble bee, Bombus californicus, leaving a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundiola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A bumble bee, Bombus californicus, leaving a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundiola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A bumble bee, Bombus californicus, leaving a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundiola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, nectaring on Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, nectaring on Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, nectaring on Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Native bees, Melissodes agilis, clash over territory. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Native bees, Melissodes agilis, clash over territory. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Native bees, Melissodes agilis, clash over territory. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Stilt bugs, family Berytidae, order Hemiptera, infest an evening primrose. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Stilt bugs, family Berytidae, order Hemiptera, infest an evening primrose. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Stilt bugs, family Berytidae, order Hemiptera, infest an evening primrose. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Pretty in pink? A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, sits in a zinnia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Pretty in pink? A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, sits in a zinnia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Pretty in pink? A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, sits in a zinnia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A territorial male native bee, Melissodes agilis, sails over Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A territorial male native bee, Melissodes agilis, sails over Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A territorial male native bee, Melissodes agilis, sails over Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, takes flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, takes flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, takes flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica, stares at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A Western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica, stares at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica, stares at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, eyes the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, eyes the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, eyes the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, eating a honey bee, Apis mellifera. Everything alive must eat to stay alive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, eating a honey bee, Apis mellifera. Everything alive must eat to stay alive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, eating a honey bee, Apis mellifera. Everything alive must eat to stay alive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 3:05 PM
Focus Area Tags: Agriculture, Environment, Innovation, Natural Resources, Yard & Garden

Inside the 'World of Insects' Calendar

If you like insects, macro photography, and cool calendars, you'll want to order the "World of Insects" calendar, published by the Entomological Society of America. You'll see insects you've never seen before--and learn a little about them. The cover...

This image of the larva of an elm zigzag fly appears on the cover of the 2024 Entomological Society of America calendar. (Photo by Christian Brockes of Germany)
This image of the larva of an elm zigzag fly appears on the cover of the 2024 Entomological Society of America calendar. (Photo by Christian Brockes of Germany)

This image of the larva of an elm zigzag fly appears on the cover of the 2024 Entomological Society of America calendar. (Photo by Christian Brockes of Germany)

Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 6:58 PM
Focus Area Tags: Agriculture, Environment, Innovation, Natural Resources

What a Day! 2-22-22

Do good things come in twos? Well, yes. Today, 2-22-22, is a palindrome day. The numbers read the same way backward as they do forward. And it happens to be a Twos-Day. It takes two. What is a two?  Two is a pair. Two is a couple. Two is a duet....

Lady beetles, aka ladybugs, keeping busy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Lady beetles, aka ladybugs, keeping busy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Lady beetles, aka ladybugs, keeping busy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Gulf Fritillaries make a fantastic twosome. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Gulf Fritillaries make a fantastic twosome. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Gulf Fritillaries make a fantastic twosome. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Praying mantids as a couple. Note: the male did not lose his head, only his heart. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Praying mantids as a couple. Note: the male did not lose his head, only his heart. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Praying mantids as a couple. Note: the male did not lose his head, only his heart. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 4:00 PM
Focus Area Tags: Environment, Innovation, Natural Resources, Yard & Garden

Insect Wedding Photography: No Invitation Needed

One point about insect wedding photography is that you don't need an invitation to attend. You just have to keep your distance and not disturb the bridal couple.  No sudden movements. No stressful impatience. And no camera flash, please. It...

Insect wedding photography: Two Gulf Fritillaries, Agraulis vanillae, in a Vacaville, Calif. pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Insect wedding photography: Two Gulf Fritillaries, Agraulis vanillae, in a Vacaville, Calif. pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Insect wedding photography: Two Gulf Fritillaries, Agraulis vanillae, in a Vacaville, Calif. pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A caterpillar inches along the altar of the Gulf Fritillaries. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A caterpillar inches along the altar of the Gulf Fritillaries. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A caterpillar inches along the altar of the Gulf Fritillaries. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A prospective suitor is rejected. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A prospective suitor is rejected. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A prospective suitor is rejected. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, nectaring on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, nectaring on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, nectaring on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 2:40 PM
Focus Area Tags: Environment, Natural Resources, Yard & Garden

Fifty Shades of Orange--with a Touch of Silver

Fifty shades of orange—with a touch of silver. The bridal couple on the pomegranate tree wore orange and silver to celebrate their honeymoon. The bride may have blushed. I don't know. Did she? Don't all brides blush? The groom, in true form,...

A pair of Gulf Fritillaries on a pomegranate tree. Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis, says she receives a number of calls about
A pair of Gulf Fritillaries on a pomegranate tree. Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis, says she receives a number of calls about "two-headed butterflies." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A pair of Gulf Fritillaries on a pomegranate tree. Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis, says she receives a number of calls about "two-headed butterflies." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Gulf Fritillary is an orangish-reddish butterfly with silver underwings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Gulf Fritillary is an orangish-reddish butterfly with silver underwings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Gulf Fritillary is an orangish-reddish butterfly with silver underwings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Gulf Fritillaries keeping busy on a pomegranate tree. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Gulf Fritillaries keeping busy on a pomegranate tree. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Gulf Fritillaries keeping busy on a pomegranate tree. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Evolutionary success! Soon the female will lay eggs and the cycle of eggs-to-caterpillars-to-chrysalids-to-adults will begin again. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Evolutionary success! Soon the female will lay eggs and the cycle of eggs-to-caterpillars-to-chrysalids-to-adults will begin again. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Evolutionary success! Soon the female will lay eggs and the cycle of eggs-to-caterpillars-to-chrysalids-to-adults will begin again. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Monday, July 13, 2020 at 4:54 PM
Focus Area Tags: Environment, Innovation, Natural Resources

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