Little Earth
Out where the soil is dark and damp there grow cities for the little ones. You know, the little people, the fairy’s, the bugs ‘n’ things …
On cities called plants, some deliberately grown for the purpose, are housed in their way all the different kinds of creatures, and fed by flowers and other inhabitants in particular. All sorts of shapes, colours and sizes, and with their particular niche, fit the metropolis called the garden – not unlike people in that way.
I haven’t been tending it as much as usual, getting down and dusty with the magical ones, but haven’t been neglecting them either. Everything has its season; some plants can’t stand the condition of the soil – too much clay, or just don’t fit into the network for long and die off. And the creatures grow, come and go, and I move some around if they are decimating a particular area.
Yes, I interfere, that’s why it’s called a garden and not a forest or meadow – gardens are managed somewhat, though as little as possible in my case. Much because I don’t know anything about gardening, plus I prefer to see what arises from the earth given the best conditions I can provide – with water, rot, light and shade.
One unusual housing complex, an old log I drilled with the possibility of bees making nests in it as it hangs under the veranda, is now well on its way to being populated. There are Orange Tailed Leafcutter bees, one kind of mud working wasp, a big old long and thin Ichneumon Wasp looking to lay in some others nest – and another short and fat kind, a variety of other flying creatures, scavenging ants – and a long term resident Spider. A host of creatures making a home of the holes I drilled – moving too fast to get many shots of them yet.
One thing about the nature is you’ll never catch it ruminating on the past; it’s always in the present without the speed bump of self reflection to bring it grinding to the turgidity of emotional consideration – we endeavour.
Flying or standing still in its ever coloured coatings, shining brightly in the summer sun, there’s truth in that worn old beetle.
Mark Berkery ……. Click any picture to enlarge in a new tab – best in FireFox
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Nature's Place 
great pix
Ta …
These are the best macro photographs I have seen on WordPress.
Thanks Alex. It’s relatively easy when it’s something you enjoy, and have the time and capacity or predisposition for.
Really Nice Pictures
Thanks Marcos.
amazing strand of images
the clarity
the colors
the textures
of creatures and plants
fun to read a bit about your personal insect interactions too
~
Hi Tammie. Fun? Yes, I am privileged to have the time to spend and the experience that enables me to enjoy …
yes, fun ~
Another great set Mark, love your photos!
Thanks Deb. Nice site you’ve got, BTW. You should post some at FM macro.
Great combination Macro-photos and Who Am I! Gardening here in South India by the Mountain Arunachala. Recently uncovered a very poisonous snake while raking the soil – we get amazing creatures showing up here, some wild centipedes, pink scorpions- they love to hang out in the compost pile, as sure you know. Thanks for posting what critters are manifesting in “your lovely world”. What a show! In peace…..kai……
Thanks Kai. I was in India so I know the creatures, to which there is no end to the variety – bloody amazing nature, for a mathematical ‘accident’ … :)
Best … M
Yeah, including the human ones! Today witnessed a parade of langur monkeys walking down Arunachala Mountain here this morning – maybe you know them from India, the silver-haired ones with black wise faces. Looking forward to more of your photos of this magnificent manifestation…..in peace…..k
You know, the only monkeys I saw there were the latest species …
You are showing me a new world…I really appreciate it!
Thanks Laura, you are ‘seeing’ a new world …
Beautiful as always! I love that weevil… he looks just like an old tired dog.
Hi S – Firefly. I suppose ‘he’ does, it was very early in the morning and the size of him would make him a mature fellow.
Love the glowing metallic colours of the beetles, like oily puddles.
The colours are amazing when up close …
Amazing pictures Mark.
Thanks Godfried. A little work in the garden is maturing into the amazing creatures that show.
Why, oh why did you place the bee log hotel on the verandah?!?
Under … the veranda, it is suspended by a string and has a roof so the ants and gecko’s can’t raid it at will, it’s out of the weather and direct sun, and it’s where I can observe without disturbing it or the residents. It’s for native creatures, EU honey bees aren’t interested in it – so no aggressive stingers. … is the perfect place for it.
I love that many-colored beetle. Any idea what it is?
It’s a Hibiscus Harlequin Bug, one of its earlier growth stages. I found it on the white flowered tree in a remnant of rainforest nearby, until it turned up on my red hibiscus, in the garden.
great images and narration!
Thanks Mary-lynne.