That Blue Pollen Bucket

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Honeybee on a Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)

Got lucky today being able to do what I mentioned yesterday – that is, find a bee on a Squill and show the blue pollen. Not the best pic of the flower, but if you look close, you can see that the pollen on the anthers is a neat blue color…and that she’s been harvesting it. Watch through the spring and the summer how the color (and size) of the pollen varies from flower to flower.

The honey we get from our foster hives is interesting, too. In the spring, it’s a very light amber. In the fall it’s dark…almost opaque. And has a different taste (both are fantastic).

A few more of this series coming later. I really enjoy that blue pollen.

Another Spring Day…

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Honeybee on a Crocus

…another honeybee on a crocus. Lots of other things starting, too. Daffs…but they’re not all that great for bee shots. Tulips will be along soon. It’s truly starting – finally again.

Oh, the squills are neat. I’ll try to get a deep purple/nearly navy blue pollen bucket if I can soon. Don’t know how they get so full with such tiny flowers.

Anyway, this is supposed to be about crocuses (rivers of crocuses here), and I’m wandering off. Think it’s late.

Enjoy this one. Love the pollen on her.

Honeybee Drinking on an Iris

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Honeybee Drinking on an Iris

It’s pretty rare to get a bee shot on an iris. At least around here. Not sure why, but they’re not that great for pollinators. That said, they’re far and away my favorite flower. Something about them…

This is a neat one in that you can see her drinking. Was shot by thebeegal last spring.

Honeybee in October

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Honeybee shot in October

I’ve been long on bumbles lately, so here’s a honeybee shot in October at Ogden Botanical Gardens. I don’t know what this flower is, but it’s one of the last ones to keep blooming…even through moderate frosts. As fall winds down, the bees have fewer sources to use. Somehow these that bloom late have become some of my favorites.

A season and a time and a purpose…

Neat Shot of a Native (if you like purple…)

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On a Crocus

This one held still for a while for me – more or less – almost posing. This was my favorite of all different shots. The light was pretty low which meant I had to open the lens pretty wide…thus decreasing the depth of focus. I think that adds to the effect.

Oh, I should say that I shot this yesterday afternoon. So good to have all of the little ones back. And our (foster) hives will be showing up again in two or three weeks. Cannot wait.

Two Bumbles on a…???

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Two Bumbles on a yet-to-be identified flower

I’ve been traveling for several days and my yammering was cut short. Some are, I’m sure, pleased but…

Not sure what the flower is – nor the variety of bumbles. But it looks like two different types to me. I like the pollen on the one on the right. Seems like this one would be fitting for Valentines next year, but I couldn’t wait that long to post it. I think it’s neat.

If you’re willing, please take the time to rate the photos. I’d like to get a broader opinion than my own on how they stack up relative to each other. And don’t be shy. If you think something’s substandard, rate it so. And thanks. Useful to me.

The Unicorn Bee

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Neat Native on an Aster

This one’s been dubbed The Unicorn Bee. The shot is by thebeegal and that’s not a horn, but one of her two antennae – specifically the left one. Recall that the focal plane is pretty narrow – maybe 1/8th of an inch in this shot – and that particular antenna found itself directly in that plane. If you look closely, you can see a bit of blur that’s the antenna on the right side. Compelling shot, I think. And a great eye.