Category: Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects

Brilliant Red Dragonfly Pictures

By livelifeandlove on November 7, 2019

I’ve photographed my morning visitors, it’s a daily ritual to welcome all winged insects such as honeybees, butterflies and of course, today’s subject is a sleepy one, a brilliant red dragonfly or Red-veined darter Dragonfly landed on a small tree trunk. Using only a single subject and constantly changing position to consider the best creative angle to choose from. Let me show you the result, it’s a fresh shoot taken this morning.

Stunning Pictures of Red-veined darter Dragonfly

Brilliant red dragonfly or Red-veined darter Dragonfly is not widespread, it is rare here in the Philippines.

You can clearly see the three distinct segments here.

This is the best advantage of macro you can see and discover what is hidden behind.

The center of interest is the visual appeal of the dragonfly.

When photographing dragonflies, it usually requires macro to see tiny details that even the naked eye can’t see.

How I wish to create a clear detailed dragonfly image.

Morning atmosphere is just right this time. Following the basic rules, Macro photography is not always as easy as you think but it is rewarding.

Point of focus to my subject to which I think is suitable for my morning hobby. Just a closer shot from a distance.

Morning light works well this time. I just hope you’ll enjoy viewing my dragonfly images. Thank you for visiting my website.

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Rainforest Butterfly House

By livelifeandlove on July 26, 2019

Butterflies are one of the most visually stunning and scientifically fascinating insect that can be found on earth, they receive the widespread admiration they deserve. Today, I’m confident that I’ll be able to capture something interesting and I’d be delighted to share the narrative on how I managed to do in here the wonderful world of butterflies.

Considered by many as the most beautiful habitat, Rainforest Butterfly House displayed several species of living butterflies from a garden enclosure. You are free to wander around in this area to admire and engage with different kinds of butterflies. You will also see here all the nectar flowers which is a butterfly favorite but the most interesting part is that you will witness the release of the newly hatched butterfly on their first flight. Butterfly house offers an educational tour with a guide to supply adequate information about butterflies.

This is not my first time to visit this location in fact my last visit here was in October of 2018, a month in which the temperatures are mild and the amount of sunshine and cloud cover in the sky is definitely good in comparison to this year. I’m enjoying a half-day of shooting here.

Rainforest Butterfly House

Butterfly garden is an enclosed butterfly habitat, it is a place that caters to the feeding and housing needs of butterflies at every stage of their lives. It is also a place for guests to watch the insects and engage in educational activities with them.

Butterflies are winged insects that have antennae that are knobbed and wings that are rainbow-colored. When at rest, butterflies hold their wings in an upright position. The most effective pollinators are butterflies, dragonflies and bees.

Components that make up a butterfly

A graphic depicting the anatomy of a butterfly including important parts presented here. Students and researchers alike will view this as of basic importance. I just snapped these photos, you may have noticed that it is a picture that captures the natural clarity of a butterfly as it pollinates a flower.

My sister snapped this photo as I strolled around the beautiful behind-the-scenes moments.

Taking in every little bit of time I get to spend with my most beloved pollinator. My spirit is alive by the process of documenting my interactions with the various pollinators that flit around the numerous flowers. I couldn’t wait to get some pictures of them.

**Caterpillar Habitat**
**Monarch and Paper Kite Caterpillars**

Raising eggs, caterpillars and butterflies. You can clearly see the life cycle of a butterfly here. (Butterfly photos below)

As the butterflies emerge from their cocoons, I get to witness butterflies maiden flight outside.

What sort of food do butterflies consume? In addition to the nectar of the flowers which is more nutritious for them however, kite butterflies have a preference for sweet fruits such as ripe mangoes, bananas, watermelons to name a few. You’ll find all of the butterflies favorite fruits right here.

At home, we also have our own backyard garden which is frequented in the morning by honeybees, dragonflies, and butterflies but when it rains, we do not have a weatherproof enclosure for the butterflies, it is just a free and natural habitat.

These dazzling insects have a certain endearing quality perhaps, it’s their rainbow of colors or the fact that they serve a useful purpose by pollinating flowers either way, I can’t take my eyes off of them.

Feeding time

Complex and drawn-out process of courtship.

Butterfly mating

Wonderful World of Butterflies

During my recent visit, I was able to capture these beautiful photographs of butterflies. Only three distinct species of butterflies were able to be photographed at this location: a lime butterfly, a golden birdwing butterfly, and a paper kite butterfly. Other species were not present during the time of my visit.

I hope my readers will enjoy viewing these photos and it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way. When I set-up to write about these lovely pollinators to feature here, I just wanted to share a few things. I have already received praises from students and fellow bloggers who love butterflies. Photographing butterflies is a very satisfying hobby and I’m having fun with it. Let’s get started. Happy viewing!

Lime Butterfly

Paper Kite Butterfly

Golden Birdwing Butterfly

Lime Butterfly Gallery

Note: To view images in a larger size, click on them.

The monarch butterfly prefers to feed on sweet fruits such as mangoes, watermelons etc. However, in my garden, in addition to nectar from flowers, monarch butterflies hang from lime trees which bear citrus fruits.

Paper Kite Butterfly Gallery

Note: Click on images to view larger

Golden Birdwing Butterfly Gallery

Note: Click on images to view larger

If you are an insect lover like me, you should invite butterflies and bees to your own garden, make your own garden an educational ground and a lovely place to enjoy all the agents of pollination.

The Rainforest Butterfly House is an ideal location for conducting research on butterflies and taking photographs of them. Let us work together to ensure the survival of butterflies by preserving and protecting their habitats.

Thank you for reading my blog!

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition

By livelifeandlove on March 11, 2019

The international event, ‘’World Flora Exposition’’ (officially opened last November 3, 2018 and runs through April 24 2019) It’s a festival of Taiwan’s world of greenery held across 3 different areas; Houli Horse Ranch & Forest Expo Site, Fengyuan Hudulun Park and Waipu Expo Site. The annual event participated by international exhibitors and recognized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers.

World Flora Exposition featured modern trends in agriculture as the major theme, botanical gardening, modern landscaping, vegetables, culinary herbs healthy spices and it also showcased beautiful species of different types, all enchanting and colorful in profusion.

Among the 3 exhibition sites, missing the two areas and only the Fengyuan Hudulun Park in Taichung was visited. When I was in Taiwan, we keep on moving to explore around. A week vacation is still not sufficient, my unfamiliarity with other site locations of the exhibition, there is not enough time as we only have one day in Taichung. My area of coverage is only within Taichung, the location of the hotel (Ful Won Hotel) where we stayed in is an easy access to Fengyuan Hudulun Park expo site.

All exhibits pretty much as they are even in winter. I saw what must have been close to a thousand different species and varieties on display. World Flora Exposition, this event will inspire agriculture and commercial growers as well as flower enthusiast and gardeners.

Note: My descriptions are necessary brief due to the multiple numbers of flowering plant photos.

Fengyuan Hudulun Park Expo Site

The flora exhibition will run through wintertime to springtime, it’s wintertime and exhibitors will settle for winter blooms perhaps, the kinds that blooms and evergreens too. what I can present now are the wintertime species, these are the cool growing species enjoying the climatic conditions of winter. Most featured are the spectacular beauty of winter orchids that includes; Phalaenopsis, Cymbidiums, Dendrobium, Odontogrossum and other hybrid type botanical specials.

Special Highlights ~ Flowering house plants, Ornamental and colorful foliage, Gorgeous trailing orchids, Stunning landscape and many more.

Note: My reminder to be cautious when photographing these flowers.

Fengyuan Hudulun Park Expo Site , puts on its winter exhibition. Lets get started

Dark Solid Purple Phalaenopsis

The good idea of carrying such flowers, a better approach you can see here over winter.

Purple Dendrobium

Enjoying the climatic conditions of winter, Counting down to more stunning Orchids and Petunias down there.

Dark Red Phalaenopsis

Jane Almquist Phalaenopsis

The generation of winter white orchids

Enobi Purple Dendrobium

Flowering orchids of vibrant colors, incredibly beautiful Phalaenopsis.

Purple Spotted Harlequin Phalaenopsis

Among the most distinctive flower shapes

Graceful arching stems, lovely polka dots!

Thongchai Gold Dendrobium

Lewes Jubilee Phalaenopsis

The display of flowers in every kind is imaginable.

This flowering tree is a winter season interest.

Flowering Petunias moment of glory, two-color combinations.

Are you familiar with these Petunias? any gardener who’s been close to a garden knows these kind of hanging plants. Petunias grow well in cool temperature and will stand few degrees of frost. Definitely, it is suitable for winter exhibition, you can see more of Petunias hanging over here.

Series of Petunias available in many colors.

Suitable background set-off a garden to its best advantage.

Infinite variety of flowering plants

Petunias, they give the most flowers per hanging plant, How lovely!

White and Fuchsia Petunias

Dark purple petunias

Cool season display loved for their attractive colors.

Stunning Deep Purple Petunias

Deep Pink Petunias

Gorgeous blooms and wintertime colors.

Soft Purple Petunias

Dark Pink Petunias

Deep Pink Petunias

Deep Pink Petunias

Beds of colorful flowers

Exhibition main entry point

The charming foundation of this landscape is the background show-off flowering borders.

Creative landscape

Featuring the best landscape from Taiwan

You will pass by this area before Fungyuan Hudulun Park

The expo site is a beautiful place to watch winter flowers in full bloom. Here in the Philippines, my favorite flowering plant doesn’t normally grow in our area because they are more adapted to colder climates, they are best suitable to grow well in Baguio and Tagaytay, these 2 areas are my favorite vacation destination too. How I wish to have the same kind of winter flowers around here. To include those beautiful flowers on my wish list.

See you again next post> Sun Moon Lake Ropeway– scenic gondola cable car

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Beautiful Flowers of Taiwan

By livelifeandlove on March 5, 2019

Foggy and windy it may be during winter but the charm and scenic beauty draw thousands of visitors yearly. Aside from the beautiful Sun Moon Lake, Sunrise Alishan, Taroko National Park, one attraction to behold when you are in Taiwan are the winter bloomers, any paths where plants are in full bloom, you’ll see surprising variety of lovely blossoms and colorful blooms.

My Taiwan journey from one destination to the next, gives me the opportunity to capture beautiful photos of all kinds from food to fashion, Michelin star restaurants, sunrise, stunning pagodas, mountain scenic areas, Shilin night market and now, these beautiful flowers.

Taiwan’s climate allowed spontaneous growth of beautiful flowers during each season that blends with assorted group of Tung flowers, Red Maples, Lavender, Plum flowers, Cypresses and Cherry Blossom like those at Nantou on the side of Sun Moon Lake and Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.

Most flowers have their own limited season to bloom but when it’s winter, you can’t expect each of them to flower. A stroll within Alishan National Forest Recreation Area just beside Ho Fong Villa Hotel, you’ll find delightful blooms around.

Lisianthus flowers, a rare beauty with stunning elegance.

Misty Pink Lisianthus, an elegant rose-like flower.

Not so far away, the most preserved botanical garden trees and flowers.

Cool season trees loved for their winter colors, all flowers that comes in nearly every color and range.

Impressive Scarlet Fire Thorn which is well known for its bright red berries that last through much of winter and fall.

Scarlet Fire Thorn white flowers are small and extremely numerous often covering much of the plant. Full sun leads to more flowers. The orange-red fruits ripen in September and last through the winter.

As well as mountain slopes, the wild mountain Sakura.

Cherry Blossom trees in bloom is a wow factor in the city

Cherry Blossoms on mountain ridge looks like an isolated wilderness…

White orchids

Orchid flowers in all colors are available in Taiwan

Deep Purple orchids

Purple spotted orchids

Widely grown cool season petunias.

Petunias striking colors and unusual forms.

Two color combination Petunias

Deep Purple Petunias

Soft Purple Petunias

Glorious pink flowering plants

Other popular varieties on mountain slopes.

A delightful welcome to greet you in front of Ful Won Hotel

Stunning orchids around Taichung

Phalaenopsis Jane Almquist

Deep yellow rose

Colorful display greatly appreciated, other winter flowers are beginning to burst into bloom. A few, they bloom every month.

Orange winter foliage

Delightful and most reliably colorful brilliant red in color.

Charming blooms

Stunning double color combinations

Beautiful violet orchids

Beautiful landscape in Taichung as a part of Taichung World Flora Exposition

Taichung World Flora Exposition next post…

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Cherry Blossoms Taiwan 2019

By livelifeandlove on February 20, 2019

On our way to Wuling farm, we passed by cherry blossom trees growing freely flowering along mountainside, we made a quick stop to take a few shots, this is not the ideal stop but with the cascading symphony of pink colors, it will surely bring excitement to all cherry blossom lovers.

Cherry blossom usually begins to bloom early spring, this may happen mid-February to mid-April definitely, spring is the best season to catch the beauty of these flowers but when we were in Taiwan, winter is upon us and December month is not the best season to chase it. I’m lucky to catch the early blooms, it’s earlier than expected with other flowers that makes an attractive form during winter.

Winter chills, it was showering and temperature drops below 7 ° C. It’s fairly cold and I’m shivering, I forgot to wear my winter gloves, other parts of my body losing heat very quickly but I have to get through it. Strong howling winds blowing through the foggy mountains of Wuling, it makes me harder to walk… Wuling mountain with an altitude of 3275 meters and the highest point in Taiwanese highway.

It’s the magic of frosty morning to stand up here, wandering around to appreciate the beauty of the cherries and the mountain scenery.

Seasonal Celebrations

To start the year right with lively celebrations, Sun Moon Lake’s cherry blossom festival held every February with series of events that includes the concept of greenery, culture and protecting the environment. All routes surrounding the Sun Moon Lake and Formosan Aboriginal Culture are filled with fun festivities. During this month of February, colors of cherries refreshingly beautiful down to the cherry blossoms can also be viewed dramatically at night.

Cherry Blossoms Taiwan 2019

This is the trail leading to the mountain peak, equally impressive is the spectacular view that rewards all those who climb up to the top.

Looking down from the viewpoint
**Photography location:** Wuling mountain

Few flowers withering blown by a sudden gust of winter wind, amazing mountain landscape take the leading role and scene was captured instantly.

Cherry Blossoms Taiwan 2019

Cherry Blossoms Taiwan 2019
**Photography location:** Qingjing Farm

Cherry blossom tree stands alone out of the surrounding of Qingjing farm Green Green Grassland pasture.

Cherry Blossoms Taiwan 2019
**Photography location:** Wuling mountain

Cherry Blossom photos taken in different parts of Taiwan

Sweet nectar of Cherry blossom attracts various birds. This strikingly handsome kind of bird is a winter visitor and commonly seen here. I’m having a hard time to distinguish it, I’ve seen similar kind of bird when we visited Alishan Township.

Photography location: Alishan mountain

Birds soaring above treetop, got a very little chance to capture a little creature that goes deeper into the shrubs, brief flight with quick turns and burst of leaves altering my viewpoint to snap upward. I’m not even in suitable position photographing under the tree itself, their free route of escape nearby woodlands of Alishan gave me a difficult situation to snap.

The most visible kind of birds during winter, they prefer open habitat with shrubs and trees for nesting and cover.

I have scheduled a half day birding trip along the mountains of Wuling and rushing off to Alishan keeping a list of every species I’ve seen and photographed but got very few. I don’t really master how winter birds operate their own timetables …

Best places to see Cherry Blossoms or Sakura filled places

Alishan National Scenic Area
Wuling Farm
Sun Moon Lake
Formosan Aboriginal Culture- regarded as the best cherry blossom spot

Don’t miss it! Taiwan sights and more. Taipeh 101, Sun Moon Lake, Wuling Mountain, Sunrise Alishan, Qingjing green green grassland, Golden Waterfall, Night life, Night market and Dining. See you next posts…

Note: Lovely note down there will brighten my day!

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Beautiful Monarch Butterfly Landed On Flower

By livelifeandlove on November 27, 2018

I adore being able to go outside and enjoy the perfect weather. This morning has started off very kind! Both the presence of beautiful garden delights and the value of this feature as a visual element contribute to the overall aesthetic value of the garden and the beauty of flowers with the surprising variety of butterflies. A burst of color can be provided by your garden’s ornamental components if it has been thoughtfully designed. This month, there has been an abundance of butterflies of many different species; they provide a pleasant source of joy in the morning.

Lantanas possesses an inherent beauty all its own, with cascading colors that open to the most exquisite flowers in pink, yellow, and fuschia.

A monarch butterfly alighting on a flower for a moment before taking flight…

A monarch butterfly feeds on the nectar of lantana flowers in a cluster. They perform the same function of pollination as bees.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Feather White Pampass Grass Farm / Piat Cagayan

By livelifeandlove on November 19, 2018

We passed by Feather White Pampass Grass Farm on our way back to Piat from Tuguegarao. I was amazed to see the feathery grasses, I can’t pass without taking a few shots, it’s just so great not to miss these gorgeous shots for a simple souvenir.

From the attractive edge on a bright sunny day, what a dramatic backdrop by the view of the orange-purple glow of the sun above, I’m enjoying hiking trails into the areas set amidst a roadside under laid with beds of ornamental grasses.
Gorgeous photos taken on a bright sunny day, it’s particularly unique and full of life. I don’t see the same kind of ornamental grasses everyday.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

8 Beautiful Photos of Blue Banded Bees

By livelifeandlove on May 15, 2018

Blue Banded bee is also known as Orchard Mason bee is found throughout Philippines. Just like the native honeybees, it is a common sight in the city. Blue Banded bee is a flying insect with a blue stripes across its black abdomen. I just love capturing interesting subjects inside our own territory. I have a handful photos of Blue Banded bees with the black Carpenter bees and honeybees on my camera, I’m taking too much pictures of these species and my file folder is already full. huh! It’s worth keeping it for educational purposes as well.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Fruit for the Butterflies

By livelifeandlove on April 5, 2018

How to attract butterflies to your garden? One way to attract butterflies is to feed them with fruit scraps such as mangoes, overripe bananas, apples, plums, watermelon to mention a few.. They love fruits with the most natural sugar in it. Got 2 kinds of butterflies feeding on mangoes, one of the world’s most popular tropical fruit.

Feeding Station for the butterflies. 2 butterflies; monarch and admiral butterfly feasting a plate of mango slices.

Just like human, admiral butterflies love mangoes.

Monarch butterfly enjoying the natural sweetness from fruits.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Dahlia Hybrids

By livelifeandlove on February 22, 2018

Following our family vacation previously, I had focused my attention on all exciting enhancements during that time and much more to something which is more relaxing and pleasing to the eye. Our itinerary doesn’t only just cover delicious foods and luxury comfort, it also includes must- sees garden flowers too.

Eagerly to show what I’ve acquired in the course of my Baguio tour, the splash of flowers and attractive features, this is something that gives identity to a certain place,’’Botanical garden of Baguio’’ the field of blooming flowers and an outstanding park for the dahlias. The best series of dahlias can be seen around minus the fragrance as a notable exception, you can also see here all the growing species in a cooler environment and my free time to appreciate is limitless.

The scene satisfies my cravings to photograph everything. One of the great things that I love is photography no matter if it’s indoor or outdoor location is considerably an overwhelming hobby. It took an hour to finished, shows my expression of love for the flowers and it leaves unforgettable memories to remember.

Pleasingly beautiful to the point of my interest, my top choices are the dahlia flowers. I’ve completed all the varieties from single to the large ones. If you like beautiful flowers, you’ll surely love these dahlias!

Types of Dahlias

Dahlia flower- are sun lovers and tender perennials forming tuberous roots. They are fast growing plant that comes in every color carried on long stems above erect plants and classified by both size and type from the big-sized dinner-plate varieties down to the midget pompoms. Wild species were the first introduced in the British Isles. Dahlias are very useful in flower arrangement and garden decoration, they are graceful landscape plants and good for borders and mass planting.

Single-flowered dahlia – Single blooms, having one row of smooth ray florets surrounding a central disk.

Peony-flowered dahlia- having two to three rows of broad and usually flat petals surrounding a central disk.

Decorative dinner plate dahlia – A huge plate-sized blooms.

Informal decorative dahlia

Formal decorative dahlia – The double flowers have broad petals which are normally flat and sometimes slightly twisted and bluntly pointed or rounded at the tips. This class covers a wide range similar to pompom and cactus.

Twisted dahlia – Florets are twisted and curved.

Collarette dahlia – Brightly colored flowers with one or more rings of flat ray florets, the ring collar of smaller florets about half of the ray florets.

Bi-colored dahlia

Double show and Fancy dahlia – Fully double and almost globular in shape. The central florets slightly smaller than the outer florets. The show types are self-colored while the fancy types are bi-colored and variegated. One of the oldest classes.

Cactus dahlia

Cactus dahlia – are very popular for flower arrangement, show no disk and fully double flowers have a straight or in curving petals that tends to be narrow and pointed star-like appearance.

Waterlily dahlia

Orchid-flowered dahlia

Note: (Not available at the moment, to be added soon. Pompom dahlia, Orchid dahlia, Anemone-flowered dahlia, Star-flowered dahlia, Miscellaneous…)

The botanical garden has an area specifically designed for dahlias only. In the Philippines, you can find the best hybrid varieties in Baguio and Tagaytay, the two largest flower producers in the country. Most dahlias we grow today are the product of botanist and gardener’s breeding effort.

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