Bee 099 – Bumble on a Cone Flower

This is one of my all-time favorite bumble shots. It’s a Brown-belted on a Cone Flower. I think one of the compelling things about it is its left, back leg. Clearly helpful. Maybe like those jacks out of the cherry-picker trucks – stability? Anyway, I like the way the bee mirrors the shape of the middle of the flower. And that the focus is so much on the bee. The whole think kind of radiates.

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Bee 075 – Super Look at a Honeybee on a Cone Flower

The pollen of the Cone Flower is relatively large, compared. You can see the individual grains on her from front to back.

And because I heard “Corn Flower” the first time, they’ll always be Corn Flowers to me.

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Bumble on a Cone Flower

Not much to say about this one. But lots to like.

Looks like it’s going to warm up in the next few days…and that means the bees will be out for more than an hour or two. So much is starting to bloom. Those fireworks in slow motion. The squills and crocuses are fading being replaced by more daffs and tulips. The viburnum and forsythias are firing. I love spring.

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Bumble on a Cone Flower

Bumble on a Cone Flower (Echinacea – of some sort)

This was shot last August at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City. I’d driven a friend to an appointment with a doctor and I had a couple of hours to kill. I had my cameras with me and so I decided to have a look at the gardens there. It was a really odd day in that it seemed to be all bumbles, all the time – and several varieties. Only a few natives, fewer honeybees, and just masses of bumbles. Normally, I’m overwhelmed with honeybees and the occasional bumble is a treat. That afternoon, it was reversed. But it sure was a fun day to shoot. And the gardens there are exceptional. Stop in if you’re in the area – and I’ll bet you thank me after your visit.

In other news, when I was introduced to this flower (in our own gardens) I heard “Corn Flower” rather than “Cone Flower”. So…they’ll always be Corn Flowers to me.

I think I mentioned I wasn’t much of a taxonomist…yet.

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