Denizen …
Occasionally I see these huge beetles flying around the garden, with a loud buzz to match. They do command attention.
The ones I get close to though are already stopped, such as the one pictured – I call them Leopard Beetles, for the markings – frolicking in the flowers.
It was climbing around one of the straw flowers, munching away on the pollen, so I took the opportunity for a few shots.
Others I have seen in the flowers of the garden have ended up as food for the Kookaburra or the Pied Magpie. Two who keep a close eye out for a morsel.
There seems to be enough to go around, for now.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click any picture and click again to enlarge
*
Nature's Place 
Loving those photographs !!
Thanks. The flower did it …
This looks like an attractive morsel for a hungry kookaburra or magpie, though very crunchy and a real mouthful, and likely not fun to swallow. The leopard markings are spectacular.
It has proved to be, having seen them swoop and run with their tasty prize.
amazing shots of the beauty of this beetle.
Thanks Ruth. She? made it easy and interesting …
I like how hairy its underside is. The hairs must trap pollen snacks.
… and provide some protection I suppose, keeps smaller bugs out of the joints and breathers perhaps, makes for a softer landing …
What beautiful markings. There are some truly stunning beetles in the world.
Yes, there are indeed …
beautiful !
Thanks Gwennie …
These are some really fantastic photos. Well done.
Thanks David. It was a lucky find, up on the flower like that and not on the ground where I would usually see them – just before the Kookaburra strikes.
Is it mating season?
For a while now, early summer in sub tropics. There are a number of similar big beetles about the garden.