We are at the height of the growing season, so many plants are in bloom, attracting a number of species of butterfly and bee. This butterfly was sucking down nectar in my friend Elizabeth's lantana:
As Elizabeth's hibiscuses are full of aphids, ladybugs are easy to find:
Unfortunately, the ladybugs are no defense against the grasshoppers:
The bees have been behaving themselves better, so I have gotten some nice closeups:
By far, I believe that the photo below is my best insect shot. I wish I could say that I studied the owner's manual for the camera and learned how to use the "Sports" mode correctly. But in reality I just got lucky, or perhaps God finally wrested control of my fingers. I am calling this photo "Worshipping at the Altar of Jasmine."
