On the Hunt

The bees are really busy this time of year.  Lots of pollen for them to spread around.  And thanks to them we get to enjoy the fruits of their work, no pun intended!.

"On the Hunt"      © Kathy Dunham 2011

Searching

This bee was really intent on finding some pollen.  However, I don't see any on this flower but I'm sure there must be some or he wouldn't be searching for it.

"Searching"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Soft Pollen

We all know about pollen - that bees collect it to make honey, it's part of the fertilization process for plants and sometimes makes a big mess on our clothes.  But most of us don't take a close look at it.  In fact, without a good microscope we really can't enjoy the intricacies of these soft, fuzzy particles that propogate the species.  Mother Nature is amazing isn't she?

"Soft Pollen"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Busy Little Bee

This little guy was so busy collecting pollen he didn't even stop beating his wings.  Work, work, work.

"Busly Little Bee"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

White Pollen

Most pollen is yellow, but the Desert Canterbury Bell has white pollen.  And it makes a very stunning statement against the dark blue of the petals.  Avoid touching the leaves as it is known to cause a skin rash similar to poison oak in some people.

"White Pollen"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Pollen Collector

It's fascinating to watch bees collecting pollen.  But I was surprised when I took a closer look at the photo and noticed that the pollen was the same color as the flower.  That's probably not unusual, but I rarely get a close up look at their hind legs where the keep the pollen until they return to the "nest".

"Pollen Collector"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Medusa's Head

Some flowers have very simple centers - stamens, pistil and pollen.  But this one has a unique center.  Same components but very different in shape and form.  That's one of the joys I have photographing flowers.  I see some of the neatest things.

"Medusa's Head"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Look at My Stamens

You've heard the saying "Stop and Smell the Roses".  It means many things but one of the advantages to stopping and enjoying the beauties of nature is getting to see the more unique entities that make up our world.  If asked to describe a stamen, most of you would say it's a long filament with a bump on its tip covered with pollen.   That's a good general description but look at these stamens and how they bend and curl.  They add interest to an otherwise generic flower.


"Look at My Stamens"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Collecting Pollen

There were a lot of bees collecting pollen on a bush outside my window so I decided to see I could get a picture of the critters while they were busy.  I realized you need a lot of patience to capture one.  Every time one would land he'd immediately scoot down into the heart of the flower.  This one hadn't collected much yet.  He'd better get busy.

"Collecting Pollen"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Bachelor Bee

I never realized how many pictures I've taken of bees, insects and critters until I started doing this blog. You'd think I was an entomologist. This little guy was busy collecting pollen on a bachelor's button (hence the title of this image) in the herb garden at the Huntington Library this past summer. Notice that his pollen is red. And earlier posting showed a bee with yellow pollen. These guys sure do get around.

"Bachelor Bee" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Busy Bee

Yesterday before visiting the Art Festival in Santa Barbara my friend and I decided to check out the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden which was just a few miles further down the road from the festival grounds. This is a wonderful treasure hidden up in a canyon. It's primary focus is native plants and they've done a super job of keeping the site looking natural. There is a stream trickling through the canyon and the big sycamores, a grove of redwood trees, a dam built but the Native Indians in 1807 under the guidance of the mission priests and the flume that takes the water to the mission. Thjere are trails to wander and it's a great place to take the kids. The Native fuscia and goldenrods were in bloom and even though this is a dry year for Southern California, it was a beautiful sight. Equally busy were the bees collecting pollen. This guy had a pretty full load on his hind legs and didn't mind my taking his picture.

"Busy Bee" © Kathy Dunham 2008