This one is from October, 2020. Got about eight inches of snow here over the past couple of days and I’m really thinking lots about spring. The bees that are in the yard during the warmer months are now in California at work in the almond orchards. Looking forward to their return. Until then, enjoy shots from warmer days past. Like this one. And grab a 2020 calendar or two. They turned out really well!
Tag: Asters
Asters on Valentine’s
I probably should have been keeping my eye out for a stunner for today. In celebration. Maybe something red. Or bees doing something cute so that I could anthropomorphize a bit. Not feeling it. Back to my cynic’s saw: Live a life that doesn’t require holidays. Give. Remember. Love. Thank.
/end sermon

Approaching the Asters
This one’s a little dark on the bee, but I really like the in-flight shots. Like how the wing’s caught by the camera. And the bee right there on the blossom itself. You can see some detail in the far wing, but it’s also obviously working. Not perfect, but a fun shot for sure.

Bonus – Hoverfly Mimic in the Asters
Fun shot of a hoverfly. Really a good pollinator on the right flowers. Not quite as elegant as the honeybee, but it has its place. Those eyes, though…

A September Afternoon in the Asters
Great pollen on the hair of yer eye. Also a filling pollen basket. Just a workman-like shot of a pretty bee doing her thing. On a really nice blossom. That’s what it’s about.

Navigating an Aster Valley
Like the shapes in this one. The focus isn’t quite tack sharp, but…it’s too interesting not to post.
Find some beauty somewhere today. It’s all around you if you’ll look.

Dream-like on the Asters
Last day of 2020. Here’s a shot that I hope represents 2021 in terms of mood and ease and peace. Not sure we’ll get that – but hope is a great thing. I tried to crop this one several times to get closer to the bee but had no luck getting the same feel out of it. So here’s the full picture. Happy New Year!

This one’s from October of this year.
Honeybee on an October Aster
Nearing the end of this odd, strange, weird year. Hoping 2021 isn’t more of the same. Trying to think of the good that has come out of this year – and hoping my vision will be better looking back than it is looking around right now. Not to say that there haven’t been wonderful things happen. But as a year…it’s been remarkably twisted.
The bees, though, seem to keep being. Not meant to be a pun. Just is. They just are.

Profile in the Asters
This one looks a little gray washed. And it’s vertical. How often do I crop like that? Should do it more. Another in a couple of days.

Peace in the Asters
Love both the softness and the focus in this one. Colors, too. That green in the back works so well. This one’s from September 2019. Seem to be stuck in that folder this week. Embarrassing to say that there are so many shots I’ve not even seen yet. Several years back. Guess that’s part of what winter is for.
This one has a nice feel to it. Hope it resonates with you.
