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

Two for the Price of One

It's hard enough to capture one moving insect let alone two.  So you can imagine my delight when I discovered I found there were two bees in this photo that were in focus.

"Two for the Price of One"      © 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

Me 'n the Bee

I love sunflowers and so do the bees.  This one was getting the last of what was the end of the crop in an almost vacant field.  Maybe it was the best.  As the old saying goes "save the best for last".

"Me 'n the Bee"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Coming in for a Landing

The Matilija Poppies are in bloom and here's lucky shot #2.  That bee is loaded with pollen but he wants more.  The Matilijas are one of my favorite flowers to paint.  Native to California, these spectacular blooms with white, krinkled petals and a large yellow-orange center are dramatic in the late afternoon light.  They are also known as the "Fried Egg Flower" and I'm sure you can guess why.

"Coming in for a Landing"     © 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

Let's Bee Together

My main goal during wildflower season it to find flowers to photograph but once in a while I find other critters enjoying the flora as much as I do.  These two bees were busy collecting pollen in an Apricot Mallow.

"Let's Bee Together"    © 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

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

Dinner - Yumm

I enjoyed the flora and fauna of Italy but it's also great to be back with all the desert life we have here. This little bee was sure busy when I found him digging for his dinner in a gazinia flower.

"Dinner - Yumm" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Hunting for Food

Bees are fascinating, always on the hunt for pollen. Do they ever rest? Trying to photograph one is a challenge, they never sit still. I was lucky this time. I wasn't even trying to get a bee. I just thought the flower was an interesting one that was new to me. And when I looked closer at the photo, there was the bee.

"Hunting for Food" © 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

Patty's Garden

My friend Patty is a Master Desert Gardener and for the past two years she's been working to create a beautiful desert garden at her house. She only incorporates desert adaptive plants and those whose flowers attract birds and butterflies. This year it has really taken off and every time I visit I enjoy the uniqueness of her garden and all the "critters" it attracts. And of course, there's lots of bees and their relatives.

"Patty's Garden" © 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