Tag Archives: Bumblebee

Feeling Round, Plump & Happy

27 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by in Back Yard Garden, Bumble Bee, Bumblebee, Cardinal Flower, Garden, Home Garden, Lobelia Gerardii Vedrariensis

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The day after Thanksgiving was a day of getting up early to catch the Black Friday specials. Shopping was the physical exercise after over indulging our Thanksgiving feasts. Family, friends and food are the 3 “F”s which are characteristic of this wonderful holiday. Unfortunately, this year we probably had less of our normal 3 “F”s, since we were warned not to gather to spread COVID.

Yesterday, we did need to cook our Thanksgiving comfort foods. We prepped our large turkey which was a little smaller than what we cook for 30-40 people. It was still large, since we provided food for my parents and brother. We normally never have any turkey leftovers, since our relatives enjoy taking home the leftovers. So if we are going to roast a turkey, we might as well enjoy the leftovers for a change.

We made our favorite side dishes of sweet potatoes with marshmallows, roasted brussel sprouts, fresh cranberry sauce and Chinese sticky rice with Chinese bacon and sausage. Surprising from Wednesday to Thursday, we finished cooking everything in time for my brother to pick up the feast, even with our big mess of spilling the overflowing turkey juice from the pan.

Normally, I would feel like the way this bee looks – round, plump and happy. Our custom has been to celebrate with about 30-40 relatives and share a Thanksgiving potluck. We have been roasting the turkey for the family. There is an overload of variety. It is a fun time of feasting and fellowship. This probably is the first time we all could not meet together. I did not eat as much since I cooked so much and was tired from the work. It was still worth it to eat my favorites.

The bee is happily flying around to gather its pollen and nectar. It enjoys the sweetness of the flowers to become healthy round and joyful. This bee is fast. I shot this photo at 1/8000 of a second. I still could catch the quickness of his wings.

I wish I could move with this speed with a round body. The bee is quick to gather pollen to bring back to his hive family.

It reminds me during this Thanksgiving time how we need to be quick to express our Gratitude to God and to those we care about. This pandemic has been teaching me to be quick to appreciate the moments in life. After Thanksgiving, it is normal for us to feel lethargic from over indulging.

Nevertheless, we need to emulate to be like the bee. Can we feel happy to feed or help those around us. When we gave the meal to my brother to bring to my parents, he expressed it was a fancy meal. It may have taken us time to prepare the meal, and we sacrificed a day to cook for our family. But it is important to show an expression of our care for our family.

Bees are constantly taking care of their hives. This bee is pretty adorable being fuzzy, round and fast.

Who do we need to take care of? Be adorable with our after-Thanksgiving roundness and figure out who you can give care to.

Photos Teach!

Bumble Bee Zeroing In on Lavender Flower

23 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by in Backyard Garden, Bumble Bee, Bumblebee, Garden, Home Garden, Lavender

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We do not usually consider bees as fuzzy creatures. Most of us think about the stinger on a bee and wanting to get away from this flying insect.

This photograph shows us the softer side of the bee with it fuzzy exterior. It reminds of a cuddly stuffed animal since this bee is round in shape. The photo also shows the bee’s wings in action and the long pair of antennae on top of the bee’s head.

This bee has a nice orange chunk of pollen collected in its pollen baskets on the hind legs. Bees are goal oriented to take care of the needs of their hive. I do not know where their hive is, but the bees are pretty regular to return to sip from my flowers.

It is important for us to also show our “fuzzy” side to other people. Do we show compassion? Do we seek to help people with their needs if it is within our capabilities or if we have the resources? Or are we too focused on our own world to be sensitive to the needs of our family, friends or other people we are in contact with.

Let’s hope the people in our lives see our fuzzy nature and not our “stinger”.

Photos Teach!

 

Flight of the Bumble Bee

24 Thursday Sep 2020

Posted by in Backyard Garden, Bumble Bee, Bumblebee, Garden, Home Garden

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I have seen Bumble Bees fly but did not know they look like a flying round teddy bears until I photographed them in mid-air. They look really cool being so round and having their short legs showing on the bottom. This Bumble Bee was flying toward my Lavender plant.

Notice the dark fragile wings of this bee. They look so thin. Yet these wings enable the bee to fly long distances and quickly. A bee can fly fast or hover over flowers to retrieve the nectar.

The bee’s fuzzy yellow top and bottom makes it stand out. We all need brightness in our lives. The black body has a little bit of a sheen in its appearance.

What can we learn from the flight of the Bumble Bee? 

The weak looking wings of the Bumble Bee are actually quite powerful to enable the bee to travel great distances.

The Bumble Bee is very small in size, but it can bring bad pain to anyone of us with it’s stinger.

It is possible for the weak things to shame the strong.

So do not underestimate individuals who seem weak?

Do not allow our pride to ignore those who appear weak. The “weak” will teach us the meaning of strength.

Find strength in our weaknesses!

Photos Teach!

Bumble Bee tip toeing on Lavender

06 Thursday Aug 2020

Posted by in Backyard Garden, Bumble Bee, Bumblebee, Garden, Home Garden, Lavender

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Since we are still sheltering in place, I spend lots more time in our garden. I position myself in our yard waiting and watching the bees, hummingbirds or butterflies enjoy the flowers. I take my big Canon camera and lens to see what interesting sights I can shoot.

I photographed this Bumble Bee in our backyard garden landing on our Lavender plant. I love the flurry of its wings in action. It’s amazing how fast the wings can go to keep the bee up in the air. It is also interesting to examine the long thin legs of the bee approaching the lavender flower to collect the pollen and nectar.

This pandemic has allowed me to spend time to tend to my garden. Before the pandemic, I did start planning out what to grow in the garden to attract birds, butterflies and bees. But the pandemic provided me a reason to go to the garden since I am not venturing out of the house except for groceries.

Even though the pandemic is a terrible occurrence in the world, it is teaching us valuable lessons.

The pandemic is teaching me about solitude in fellowship with nature. It is showing me how bees can dance on lavender and other flowers. I am learning patience as I wait and watch to capture images of the natural occurrence in nature.

Lastly, blessings are possible in all circumstances of life even in a pandemic. It is a blessing to the beauty of a bee encroaching on the pretty petals of lavender.

Photography teaches me to be patient.