If you’ve looked at even a few of these posts, you’ll know that blanket flower. Almost the mascot of this site. But…now…hey! Click on the bee… That’s new, isn’t it?
Tag: Gaillardia Mesa™ Peach
Going back to the Blanket Flower Well…Again
I have so many neat pics on this flower and have posted quite a few here. But it just keeps giving. Pollen all over her face. Great wings. And you can really see the softness of the flower. Next year will be worse with the blanket flowers in the new parking strip garden. A number of new ones in there. But the bees will be happy…and if they are, that’s something.

Back to the Well that is Mesa Peach
One thing I know: bees can never, ever have too many blanket flowers. Also, I have carte blanche to buy as many as I’d like next summer as I see them. So there’s that. Who knows where they’ll go? Maybe I’ll cut another garden in the lawn dedicated just to them.

Three Stages of the Blanket Flower
Apart from being a neat shot of a bee, this picture of the Mesa Peach shows three different phases of the blossom. You see the one in full bloom, the fuzzy one has bloomed, and the one on the right that’s out of focus (maybe I should have picked a better shot of that?) and cut off is one yet to bloom. Maybe I’ll find another to illustrate the three in better focus.
In-flight is neat, though. And it’s a great bee!

Coming Right at You!!
Right at your face! Look at those full, full pollen baskets. I love ’em in flight. And I love beeface.
And that Mesa Peach…keeps on giving…

Great Native on the Mesa Peach
Love this little bee. And the blanket flower, too. This one’s straight out of the camera from July 2019. Great detail. Enjoy!

OhSoLate Honeybee on the Blanket Flower
Another fun shot on the Mesa Peach. Day has absolutely gotten away from me. Great pic. No time. Have a look at the pollen basket, though. Fantastic flower for the pollinators. Find some. Plant some. Say thanks later.

Bedhead on the Blanket Flower
This one…won’t quit. Hunt’s bumblebee…or as I’ve christened it, the beadhead bee. Love the way it’s fur/hair looks so unkempt – always. And the blanket flowers just don’t quit. And I like the shape the bee’s making in this one. Seems to fit well with the flower – that elongated profile.

Parking Strip Payoff
Another Mesa Peach. Actually several in the new parking strip garden. Finally saw bees on the blanket flowers there yesterday. Not the best shot – not the best light – but very cool that these decided to bloom this fall. And the bees decided to show up. It’s going to be magnificent in a couple of years. Full of irises. Wish the bees thought more of those blooms. Here’s today’s:

Again on the Mesa Peach
Have several new Mesa Peaches blooming now in the new garden in the parking strip. Sadly, no bees on them yet. But the mature one just keeps giving. Love the pollen basket on this one today. Also some new cone flowers in the parking strip. Saw a honeybee on one yesterday, but didn’t have my camera.
And the best laid plans…was going to shoot a lot yesterday but only managed ten or so minutes. Rained overnight and the temp dropped about 25 degrees so I’m not too hopeful about bees for today. Anyway, this is a good one!
