This isn’t particularly compelling or arty. But she’s got pollen all over her belly. And I like pollen. And I like beebellies. And penstemmons for that matter. So this one made the cut for today. It’s kinda neat in its own way. And something you don’t ordinarily see.
Tag: Penstemmon
Hunt’s over the Penstemmon Cliff
Or something. A couple of out of focus guests in this one. This photo is so strange. From the focus to the couple of extra critters in it to the rock itself. Lots going on and all a little beyond what I’d imagine were I to imagine a bee picture. Nature does what it does. And so does the camera. And so do I.
Tiny Sweat Bee on a Penstemmon
Most of the time when I shoot on penstemmons, I get bumblebeebutt. But (ha!) here’s a fun shot of a little black sweat bee (I’m really not sure about that at all, btw…I’m really bad at IDs) and some neat depth on the penstemmon blossoms.
Note the three eyes on the top of her head (occeli) as well as her little toes hanging onto the flower. Fun shot and great bee.
Another on the Penstemmon
I’ve mentioned this before, but most of the in-flight shots that happen to be really near a flower aren’t bees approaching, but bees coming out of the flower (as is the case here). So neat that they fly backward. But full disclosure here: whenever I look at those shots, I always half-think (even though I know better) that they’re flying toward the flower. Wonder why that is.
Bumble in the Penstemmons in the Sedum Angelina
Lots going on in this one. The Angelina, of course, and the penstemmon…and the wings and tongue and face and pollen. A good kind of busy. Especially like the wing blur.
Will be in Whitefish, Montana on Fri, Sat, Sun for the art festival. Come check it out if you’re in the area!
Wool Carder Bee Heading In
In Logan at the Art Festival again today. Fairgrounds from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. again. Not sure why so late… Makes for long, long days. And three in a row, too.
But…here’s a wool carder bee moving toward a neat penstemmon. As neat as these little ones are, they’re incredibly obnoxious for photos. They’re very territorial and pretty pugnacious. If there’s another bee in what they consider to be their territory, they’ll fly into it and knock it off the flower – repeatedly. And it seems to happen just when I’m getting ready to click. Wouldn’t be so bad if they’d hold still long enough for a shot. But they move quickly and don’t stay long on any blossom. Well, except when they’re doing the birds-and-bees thing… And I’ve probably posted enough of those.
Bonus – Paper Wasp on a Penstemmon
From yesterday. Nice look at both the wasp and the flower.
On the Penstemmons in Warmer Weather
Snow cold sleet rain here. Warms up on Sunday, I guess. So a penstemmon from last summer is today’s shot. Such a great color. And not a shot of her behind exclusively, as is the case with most on the penstemmon.
Great Tongue on a Penstemmon
Brings me back to mid summer. Love these flowers. The bees will often crawl all the way in. This is a bit of a rare grab of her tongue there on the stamen or pistil or anther or whatever the heck that is. Pretty girl!
Different Green Metallic – Double Penstemmons
My bee identification skills are abysmal. Very different green metallic bee today. Note the abdomen vs. yesterday’s bee. The one yesterday was dark and light striped – whereas today’s is metallic. Both neat for sure. Also like the the blossoms side-by-side. Such pretty things – both the bees and the flowers. The pink with the green is a neat touch, too.
