LordPotty (12503) [2014-05-03 23:30]
Hi Janice,
Ivan is quite right.
This isn't a Mason Bee but a Black or American Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens, quite easily distinguished by thoe white bands on the back legs :)
You can find it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens

LordPotty (12503) [2012-06-07 14:52]
Thanks for posting such a fine photo of such an amazing creature, with such an interesting note. This is exactly what I was looking for.
Fantastic work !

LordPotty (12503) [2012-03-11 12:50]
Hi Ron, I wish could view this because it looks great from the thumbnail & everyone else seems to like it. Sadly, I can only get it to load the top 2cm, the rest is all grey. I've gone off the page & back to it a few times but no luck yet ..... I'll try again later.

LordPotty (12503) [2012-03-11 12:43]
Beautiful colours. I wouldn't have thought this was an orchid at first glance. It is quite unlike anything we have here in New Zealand.
Interesting to read the origin of the word orchid too. I never knew.
TFS
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2012-03-11 12:39]
Wonderful shot Luciano. What a beautiful spring photo, and I've learned something. I never realised that there were flowers called Snowflakes. I would have thought these were Snowdrops if it wasn't for your note. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2012-03-10 14:31] [+]
Lovely capture Brenda. What a beautiful coloured butterfly.
We have nothing like these occurring naturally in New Zealand.
In fact, I only see a few butterflies each year, usually Cabbage Whites or Admirals. You are so lucky to have these.
Cheers
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2012-03-10 14:28]
How to make a raptor look like a dove ;)
Great capture Tom. (BTW ... I had to look twice at that word metabates ... thought he was doing something other than preening ;)

LordPotty (12503) [2012-03-10 14:24]
Wonderful cature Zahoor. The pose is perfect to show off the coloured throat. Nicely composed too. Well done.
Cheers
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2012-03-10 14:14]
Nice one Nick. Lovely shot.
Great character in this capture.

LordPotty (12503) [2011-02-17 14:51]
This is a plant I'm very familiar with, having done lots of caving.
These are often around cave entrances. In the South Island we have Tree Nettles intead !

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-24 4:39]
Nice shot Lou.
You've cleared the grass away well and have a good clear shot.
Nice sharpness and exposure on the cap. Well done.
TFS, Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-23 13:53]
Great shot of these Armillaria Ulla !
These are amongst the most common type of mushrooms we find here, although we have our own special Armillaria novae-zelandiae which is very similar to this one.
Thanks for sharing.
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-23 13:49]
A lovely group of these Hygrocybe
The .mimiata we get here are usually very small and a very dark red.
Beautiful colour and sharpness on these ones.
TFS
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-23 13:34]
Nice silhouette Bob.
We have some big old Willows in our back yard that tower over the house. Sometimes branches come crashing down in the wind. I rreally must get them trimmed.
Thanks for sharing.
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-23 13:17]
Hi Laszlo,
Glad you finally found Bisporella citrina even if you had a hard time getting the photo. You'll be pleased to know, these are quite common in our beech forests here. I have at least 2 nice shots, which I really must get around to posting.
These are always nice to look at, such pleasing little fungi.
Nice shot.
Cheers
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-22 14:36]
Hi Lou,
A nice sharp capture of this Hygrocybe.
I usually do these with a mini tripod & time exposure, instead of flash. Sometimes I use an LCD headlamp at a distance for a bit of extra light.I usually clear a bit more grass away and get a bit lower too. Great image though. This is like one we have here called Hygrocybe stiratolutea
Thanks for sharing.
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-13 4:28]
Great capture of this beautiful spider Hara.
Perfect exposure and sharpness.
Excellent work !
TFS
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-13 4:26]
A beautiful capture of a lovely mushroom.
I quite like the grass you've left.
It makes a change from the norm.
Nice work.
TFS
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-12 5:56]
Hi Foozi,
Beautiful capture of this Swallowtail Moth (Lyssa macleayi)
What a spectacular species this is. A great find !
TFS
Steve

LordPotty (12503) [2010-10-12 5:48]
Hi Lou,
We have Geastrum here,but I haven't seen this strange one.
Great capture.
Tfs
Steve