Busy bees
Today is a holiday, and I will spend part of the hot, hot day raking algae and watering and doing other unfun stuff in the garden, but I will spend the rest of the day taking a break.
Know who doesn't take breaks? Bees. Especially when it's hot. In fact, when it's really hot outside it's almost impossible to get good photos of these pollinators because they just don't sit still. I tried.
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Most of these shots were taken at the Russian sage, which attracts the smaller bees all summer long. The bumbles were shot on the Monarda, the one bee balm I have left that I can't bring myself to remove as it holds up to the powdery mildew fairly well, and doesn't seem to require all that much moisture.
Enjoy the photos and the day!
Don't be a bee in the heat -- take some time to relax and relish the garden!
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Lovely photos, Alan. Happy 4th!
Happy 4th July to you & your family!!
Happy 4th of July, Alan! The 'Peter's purple' is new in my garden this spring and I love it so far. It's holding up well to the heat and the hummers love it too.
There are a couple of shots of a fly in there too. Not everything that looks like a bee actually is one, but all pollinators are welcome here!
Just 5 minutes ago, I was admiring the huge swarm of bees, etc. that is enjoying my Russian sage this morning. It's so cool to stand quietly and listen to the buzzing and humming. However, the sage is getting too big and I will have to move it next year..not looking forward to that job!
Beautiful shots Alan. I particularly like the shots of the hover fly. Love great photos of bees and wasp.