Pretty but pesky pests

"Aren't they cute?" is what I said to my friend when we saw scores of these ladybugs on a tree in the province of Vojvodina (VOY-vo-deen-a) north of Belgrade. They are cute and they are ladybugs, but not the domestic kind, as you can see by their variations. They're Asian ladybugs and were imported for use in greenhouses to control aphids, a common pest. These ladybugs have become pests themselves, since they weren't happy being confined just to greenhouses. They apparently threaten the domestic ladybug, they bite (so people claim), and when squashed they release a yellow powder which leaves a stain.

I think they look like bumper cars on this photo.

Fashion....

This girl was attractive and she knew it, as she struck a pose while texting on Knez Mihailova, Belgrade's pedestrian street. What she didn't know is that I was taking one of my hip shots of her.

Those of you who read Serbian will note that 'volim te' on the popcorn stand next to her means 'I love you.' I'm sure a lot of guys will say that to her!

Sunday Bridges--The Bridge on the Drina

I did not take this photo myself. I downloaded it from the Internet right here where you can read more about this Nobel Prize-winning novel by Ivo Andric. We have this book in our library at school, but I was unable to take my own photo, since I've been downed by a flu bug this past week. I hate to be sick.

Check out more bridges on Louis LaVache's Sunday Bridges.

Reflections Weekend...Oblivious...

Gosh, what to say? This window washer is concentrating so hard on cleaning the windows that he doesn't even notice the ladies behind him want to lend him a hand...and an arm....

These mannequins remind me of their New Belgrade cousins I photographed here a while back.

Check out other reflections at Newtown Daily Photo.

SKYWATCH--The Victor's buns...

Shameful title, I admit, but I couldn't resist. Click here, though, to see why this naked statue is in this very place, and not in the originally intended location. P.S. Want to see some California pseudo-Roman buns? Click here to see what Tash posted at Palos Verdes Daily Photo.
And...just when you thought you had it all, here's a nifty little book I recently received as a present. I carry it in my purse. You get points for each kind of cloud you see, and there are lots! The ones above The Victor seem to be some sort of cumulus clouds (15 points), but I got 30 points for these altocumulus, plus another 15 because I caught them at sunset....what fun. Get yourself a copy!

Check out (and maybe identify...) other clouds (and their skies) on SKYWATCH.

Baka Jelka's hands

Yesterday we saw Baka Jelka's (YEL-ka) pigs, who are unknowingly awaiting their sad fate.

Baka Jelka also has chickens and of course fresh eggs, and these are some of them. But the real reason for this photo is her beautiful hands, which tell a tale of their own. Do they remind you of her son's hands? I think so.

ABC Wednesday--"P" is for "Poor Porker"

Went out to my daughter-in-law's grandmother's home last Saturday. "Baba Jelka" (YEL-kah) made us homemade soup with her homemade noodles, mashed potatoes, meat, her own cabbage salad, homemade bread, and dessert. This lady is a wonder. She has a number of chickens and three pigs. I'm sorry to say that despite all their cuteness, these little porkers aren't going to be around long... :( They'll probably end up like this.

See other P's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

Sharing the load...?

I had to chuckle as I took this photo....this couple is indeed sharing a load, but perhaps not quite fairly. They looked happy though, and didn't seem to mind. Genie published a similar photo last Saturday at Paris and Beyond.

Theme Day--Transportation

November already and a new theme day! This photo is a drive-by shooting. I was stopped at a red light and noticed this urban still life beside me. The tires on this bus look pretty good, and I love the bus's color, but that rust....

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

SUNDAY BRIDGES-and HALLOWEEN!!

Nothing like combining two fun themes--bridges and Halloween. In the background you can see the arch of the old Sava Bridge and just in front, Branko's Bridge, both of which I've featured several times before. I was lucky to be able to capture these Halloween guys who were only to happy to pose for me. The cat gave Bibi the evil eye, so she didn't chase it...

Check out more bridges and maybe a ghost or two on Louis La Vache's Sunday Bridges.

REFLECTIONS WEEKEND

I liked the composition that Mother Nature made, and she even included some reflections for me. I also like the 'smoking kills' warning on the ashtray. New laws are coming into effect forcing cafe and restaurant owners to make non-smoking sections in their places of business. I've posted 'smoking' photos several times, like here, and can only hope Those In Power will enforce the law.

See other reflections on Newtown Daily Photo.