Today is the last full day before official spring turns over on the calendar. I spent a good part of it sitting in the sun watching honeybees hanging out in an 'Arnold Promise' hamamelis. Then I thought that all this bee-watching might result in a fun entry for Gardening Gone Wild's Picture This Photo Contest for March, where the theme is "Awakening'.
Not only are plants showing decided signs of waking up and getting going, my friends the bees have woken up and man, are they hungry! They're also amazingly tolerant and gentle creatures, because I sat with both my cameras beside this witch-hazel, patiently following the busy little bees flitting around from flower to flower looking for nectar, and they didn't get at all offended. I think they know a bee lover when they see one. I know I'm very glad to see them.
So, even though I'm a Canadian outcast, up here beyond the confines of the contest boundaries...I'm tossing another photo into the competition, just for fun. There are some amazing entries again this month, so best of luck to all who have captured a glimpse of spring's awakening, and thanks again to the good hosts at GGW for helping us to become better photographers.
Bzzzzzzzz.
Lovely photo! Happy Spring.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great image Jodi! That bee is certainly enjoying her business.
ReplyDeleteBee watching is a relaxing way to pass some time, and you have a great photo to show as well. Jodi, I admire your pluck in entering a contest that has borders. Too bad they have to be there. ;>)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a bee in my garden yet this spring. Your picture captures that "awakening". Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI actually had a bee follow me around the garden yesterday as I did clean up. He went from plant to plant with me, hovering everywhere I was working. I think he was hoping I'd uncover something he hadn't seen (all that's blooming here are heaths and dwarf irises). I wish I'd gotten a photo as nice as your gentle bee. Good luck in the contest!
ReplyDeleteDear Jodi, I am always so delighted and reassured to see bees at work. Your picture is lovely, and very spring like.
ReplyDeleteNeat picture, with the hungry little bees! Perfect for the contest, good luck!
ReplyDeleteI was sat in the pouring rain today, filtering soil and trying to remember why I chose gardening above sittng in th dry and warm pub, when I heard a noise.
ReplyDeleteI was congratulating myself on getting tinnitus when I realised it was a bee, about the size of an aircraft carrier, that had decided my ear was actually a flower filled with pollen.
We exchanged pleasantires; he went on looking for a first flower of spring, and I sieved more soil!
Good capture and beautiful photo! The bee is really enjoying the spring!
ReplyDeleteJodi, it's here at last. Sing Hallelujah ... Spring has arrived!
ReplyDeleteI'll be out looking for bees myself today too. Your photo is perfect! So far all I've seen a quite a few wasps in the greenhouse. Bees always make me feel a lot less nervous.
ReplyDeleteYour photo is beautiful and I do love Witch Hazel. The bees look so happy and must be starving for pollen after a long winter :-)
ReplyDeleteI've just started to see bees too. It seems that spring really is here at last.
ReplyDeleteI love your TWEET updates and now I found you on Blotanical! Stop by my Blog sometime... would love to have the traffic from a real gardener!
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring!
That's a wonderful photo, jodi, and certainly fits the theme of "Awakening". :) Isn't this a glorious day?! And thanks so much for your kind comments about Toby -- your words mean the world to me.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo Jodi. I don't have any blooms to attract bees yet, but like you, I love watching and photographing them going about their business.
ReplyDeleteWe loves us our bees that visit our garden, my dh and I. The favorite bee moments each year are when our wild blackberry thicket is covered with bees visiting the white flowers.
ReplyDeleteWe notice the bees because the humming is loud.
Thanks for show us this photo Jodi.
Jodi ~ That is a great photo. It truly represents an awakening.
ReplyDeleteJodi, great photo of the bee working so hard at it's task! And BRAVO for entering the contest. I'm always in favor of a fun game, no matter what. Why not?! So glad you entered. Good luck to you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jodi - I hope you do well in the competition. Very appropriate for spring awakening. I spent yesterday in the garden and watched the big bumble bees and their aerodynamics especially in a breeze and the smaller honey bees all out in force gathering nectar from all my crocus.
ReplyDeleteI kept thinking to myself I should have my camera out here - but I had no time to stand and wait for a landing ...... there was so much tidying up to do in the garden.
I've never ever taken a photo of an insect in a flower yet! so I can't wait to take some over the next few months.
Great shot - it's amazing how the bee can't wait for the petals to unfurl fully. Here comes spring, and not a moment too soon.
ReplyDeleteJodi, A pretty, bee-loud spring image. I just got turned on to the spring-blooming witchhazel last spring, and now am loving them everywhere, including your blog.
ReplyDeleteNicely done. At first I didn't see the bee and then wow. I haven't seen any bees around our witch hazel. I will have to keep my eyes peeled in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis wonderful colour is just what I need on this cloudy, drizzly day, Jodi.
ReplyDeleteSanta Barbara Sunset's colours are perfect for the name. I wish I had it here to enjoy in person!
But how would you choose between all these beauties?
Your Limerick is very cheerful to brighten the Farch days.
The redwings are coming in droves so I think of you often :)
I hope you have them too.
Thanks for sharing the joy of those gorgeous orchids. Wish I'd been there!