Budak, a macro photo friend in Singapore, suggested that the little white things were aphids. Sure enough, looking around - it seems that there is a lot to learn about aphids and ants. Here is a view
Oops - there is a small caterpillar also - maybe Lycaenid
Hovering over the aphids - enjoying the nectar.
An aphid profile
A hoverfly harvesting white pollen
Another view of the hoverfly
A different flavor hoverfly
From above
Two hoverflies
And a serious bee - look at the pollen on her leg
I found a web that I thought was from Neoscona hentzi - and following the support strands, sure enough, she was sleeping inside several leaves
Then walking back to Jack and Lisa's - in their garden were many skippers. Here is a Fiery Skipper, Hylephila phyleus.
and cropped
A butterfly with extended proboscis
and the skipper with extended proboscis
Here are two skippers - I think Polites vibex.
Sort of playing a touch and go game
C. Frank Starmer