Just now starting to open. Thought it might be a couple of more weeks. This was admittedly a pretty dark shot (very late evening) so there’s a bunch of noise in it…but… I was so pleased to see a leafcutter on the lavender that I shot anyway. Thinking this site might be nearly as much about chronicling plants in the gardens as it is about the bees. Why not both?
Announcement: Utah Art Festivals
Despite what it says in the sidebar (I’ll re-figure out how to change that soon. Shameful.), my next two shows are at home.
The first is in Ogden, Utah at the Union Station. That went well and it was nice to meet a bunch of local people
The second is in Logan, Utah (called Summerfest, for those in the know) at the Cache County Fairgrounds. It’s a Thursday – Saturday show June 17-19 and runs from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. (opens at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday for some reason). Wow long days on that one.
I’ll have some fantastic shots there. Lots of bees, of course, but lots of other stuff including bison, birds, wolves, wild mustangs, and other sundry things.
Here’s an arty shot of a pair of wild horses. And a pair of neat bison. Buffalo in my world:
Foxtail Lily and Wind
Normally, I get better, more clear shots of bees on the blossoms than I do of the bees in flight. Yesterday, though, it was so windy that the opposite was the case. These lilies were flapping all over the place…and the bees seemed a little frustrated. And they managed to (more or less) hover in a spot despite the wind. So…here’s a little one trying to land. I think it’s a neat shot. And I love the lilies. Like little rockets. And they do fire from the bottom up.
Kinda Twisted on the Allium
Got back from Colorado somewhat late in the day – but still shot at twilight. Haven’t had time to look at the shots from yesterday yet (was hopeful), so you get a bee on the allium (from May of this year) today.
Seems each flower and blossom is a bit different as far as where the pollen and nectar are. And it’s fun watching the bees do what they do to get at it. Sometimes, like yesterday with the carpenter bees, they crawl right up inside of the blossom (agastache). Today’s bee looks like she’s grabbing one blossom and twisting herself toward and on another to do her work. I really like shapes in photography – and that’s a great bee shape. Fresh stuff tomorrow! (Not like this one is stale or anything, but…)
Salvia all Summer!
Like going back to the well for more…and all summer long! The pollen on her face is fantastic. And the background is so much fun in this pic.
Traveling back from the festival in Colorado today. Hope I arrive before the bees turn in for the night. I know I’ll have missed shooting for those days on the road. Often say that I couldn’t pay for therapy that the bees and camera give me. So settling to my soul. Look at the little one on that flower…in that garden…I’m sure the idea will resonate with you.
Subaru Blue and an Allium
Today I’ll be at the Smash in the Square 2021 Spring Festival at The Village at Castle Pines, Colorado. It runs from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Would love to see you there if you’re in the area – check out not only the bees, but birds, wild horses, other wildlife, etc.
There are three really tall alliums by the driveway. And, of course, the bees love them. Sorry I’ll be away when they’re at their height. But…got a few good shots. Series of ten or so in pretty good focus – with the bee in different positions. Did a bunch of crops on them that varied greatly and meant to do a series all in one day. May do that later on this summer. The blue in the lower left of a the pic is a Subaru. I’m not entirely sure what the red/orange up top is. And I included the circle (bad form?) up there in the upper left purposely. I like the shapes and colors in this one.
Skimming Across the Hypernicum
Today I’ll be at the Smash in the Square 2021 Spring Festival at The Village at Castle Pines, Colorado. It runs from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Would love to see you there if you’re in the area – check out not only the bees, but birds, wild horses, other wildlife, etc.
When the bees are on it, this is one of my favorite flowers to photograph. Everything looks so dreamy. It’s a short flower – only about six inches tall – so I’m often on my belly on the grass so you get a pretty level view of the bee. Like in this one. Seem to be getting lots in flight lately. They’re beautiful. And that pollen on her is from the hypernicum.
Heavy Laden in the Rock Rose
Getting ready to drive to the Smash in the Square 2021 Spring Festival at The Village at Castle Pines, Colorado. So I’m posting the next few in advance.
Got a few neat shots this week on the rock roses. This one happens to be a pink one. But there are red, magenta, yellow, orange, etc., too. Some days they’ll open right up. Others…they remain closed. And they’re so flappy in the wind. It’s always a thrill to get a good shot on any one of these. And look at her pollen basket!
Quick Visit to the Salvia
Trying like mad to prepare a show in the Denver area that starts on Saturday (detials tomorrow). So quick hit on the salvia (from yesterday). Yes, she’s cute. Yes, the color is fantastic…and soothing. And yes, I’ve got no time to even breathe…much. Wish I were as organized as these little ones…
Oh, and another good in flight grab. Really enjoy getting those!
On the Four-nerve Daisy – Bam-a-lam!
The little sweat bee was moving from flower to flower trying to get some work done. However…that leafcutter was pretty territorial. Kept knocking into anyone who was trying to work on the daisy (also called bitterweed). Didn’t manage to capture a collision, but here’s one getting ready to happen. Kind of annoying in the moment of bee shooting…but interesting to observe. Bee body missile.
