I’ve really, really gotten behind on posting these. And I’m very sorry about that. I’ve got them loaded up and ready to go. Just haven’t made time to do it. Trying to catch up now. You need your Daily Bee. As do I. Great shot from October today. Lots of snow on the ground right now, but every day is another day closer to the first bee of the spring. Looking forward to that! Enjoy.
Tag: Russian Sage
Linear Russian Sage
I like this one on the Russian Sage a lot. The lines. Kind of gives an idea of how dense the blossoms are. It’s no wonder that those plants and blossoms are just pulsing with bees once they start to bloom. Great plant for pollinators – and it’s not very thirsty at all – and blooms and blooms and blooms and blooms. Plant a couple – or a lot!
Hanging out on off the Russian Sage
Pick your preposition. It’s all happening. Good look at her eyes and wings on this one. And fun background. But notice the lack of hair on her thorax (that’s the middle part of three – head, thorax, and abdomen on insects). That means she’s been around a while and is wearing out. Honeybee pattern baldness? Happens both metaphorically and in reality to all of us. But she keeps going and so do we. That was a little sappy and feels a little off – but the broader point isn’t wrong.
Oddly Framed on the Russian Sage
Bees are fast. Bees are mobile. And they never hold still. Well, sometimes I catch one sleeping, but that’s so very rare. Anyway…the point is that I’m usually so intent on photographing the bee that I don’t have much of a chance to think about the background or even framing of the shot. Not easy shooting bees to detail freehand. But sometimes interesting stuff happens in the background – and again, it’s usually not intentional. This framing, to me, qualifies as interesting. And of course the bee is just pretty. Cute. Gorgeous. Fun.
Bonus: Dragonfly on the Russian Sage
First dragonfly of the year for me! That Russian Sage again. Just a magnetic plant. Such a beautiful dragonfly, too.
Native Leafcutter on the Russian Sage
A couple of years ago, our neighbors replaced their grass parking strip with a water-wise garden. In addition to a number of other things, they planted four Russian Sages. The garden looks great and I love the sages because they so many attract bees and other pollinators. Don’t think I’ve ever shot this particular leafcutter before. It’s really a neat one.
Russian Sage with a Sleeping Leafcutter
More on the neighbors’ Russian Sage. I remember this morning. This little leafcutter was just immobile. Troubling because sometimes the bee has just given up the ghost (or been stung or otherwise damaged). This one, however, was just resting before the sun crested the mountain. And I got a number of good shots. So much easier when they’re holding still ;). Love the eye…and the colors on this little one. And, of course, the Russian Sage is just made for interesting bokeh.
Just Another on the Russian Sage
Pretty typical honeybee on the Russian Sage. Looking at this, I thought, “there’s nothing very special about this shot”. And then I realized that “nothing special” here is quite a thing. Something this lovely and detailed (talking about the bee and the blossoms) and glorious is somewhat “meh” to me…makes me realize how fortunate I am to think this pedestrian. And I’m not talking about the photography itself – but nature. Intricate, beautiful, timeless nature. What a thrilling thing to be in a world where this is every day.
Drenched Hunt’s Bumble on the Russian Sage
This bee normally looks pretty unkempt (literally “not combed”) – the bedhead bee. And when they’re wet, it’s even more apparent. Good look early on a summer morning.
Laden Bumble in Flight
Pretty neat shot. I like that you can see so many of the legs hanging down…as well as the tongue split and the antennae. Wings, too. Lots going on in this pic and lots I don’t often see on one in flight. That is, of course, Russian Sage. If you’re looking for a plant that’s not very thirsty, blooms for most of the season (early summer until the frost), and attracts all manner of pollinators, Russian Sage fits the bill. They’re really fantastic. And really bulletproof-hearty.
