I was off of work yesterday, so I stopped by my house. The hardwood floors were being stripped! Woo hoo! I said “hi” to the workers, but I didn’t go inside or take a picture, because they looked busy. I did, however, water some plants in the garden. It was HOT yesterday. I have a few potted plants that I’m trying to keep alive until I begin living in my house again, at which time I will bring them inside again.
As I watered the plants, I frequently walked past my caryopteris bushes (otherwise known as bluebeard bushes). They are in full bloom right now. It’s funny, because I have been admiring their yellowy-green leaves so much this summer that I forgot that they bloom.
The bees LOVE the flowers, which I’m very happy about. I spent quite a while trying to take closeup pictures of the bees. They were buzzing past my head the whole time and I wasn’t scared. I knew they were happy with me. I gave them the glorious bluebeard nectar.
I almost wanted to taste the flowers myself to see what all the fuss was about.
As I was looking at the pictures, I almost didn’t see the bumblebee who photobombed this shot:
Watch out… coming through…
HA! Insect photobombers …who knew? Speaking of apiarists (?), I recall a class you took on bee-keeping once. Since then have you altered what you plant in your garden to attract and feed a greater variety, etc.? Those tall pink mint-family flowers (yes, I know my plants – not) on the west side of our house seem to be the banquet hall for bees, both bumble and otherwise. I too rejoice to know I am contributing to the health of the bee populations, as they can indirectly keep us healthy as well. Long live bees!
Ha! That glory-hogging bee is hilarious!
It sounds like a nice day off. Is it weird having time off in the middle of the week or is it too soon to tell?
I hope the winds bring cooler weather your way and your floors are finished soon!
First, I love the title of this post. It sounds like a book title to me. Because your such a good writer, maybe you should write a book about plants & bees for kids. I know just the illustrator you could hire too!
Second, GREAT photography! Really beautiful work there!
Third….HA! That bumblebee cracks me up! He’s like the the kid who wants to be in photographs all the time & sneaks in whenever possible.
Didn’t you have a bee fly up your nose once?
I have been having fun trying to photograph tree frogs and praying mantis. Monday there were 3 female praying mantis on one of my rose bushes. Then I saw a small brown one that must have been a male. By the time I got my camera, I couldn’t find the male anymore, but I did get photos pf the females.
We have a tree frog that is living in our umbrella. It must feel protected when the umbrella is not up.