One patch of sunflowers was too occupied to pull. Some bees had more pollen on them than others:
This worker's head was almost completely powdered -- I wondered how she's able to smell.
Even on a six inch square set of real estate, you're never alone here:
Proof that they can fly, even heavily burdened. I'm glad to see them storing pollen for winter, and reminded that I have to harvest -- soon!
Hope you're all enjoying harvests now.
9 comments:
I could be wrong, but it looks to me like the bee in your second photo is a Longhorn Bee, not a honey bee. We had a lot of them last year on our Rudbeckias and Sunflowers. You can tell because they carry their pollen a little differently on their legs. I love the last photo with those bright orange pollen baskets. Did you get your summer honey harvest in?
Your ladies are LADEN!
I've noticed that a lot of pollen has fallen below our new hive (I call it the purple princess palace). Is it normal for them to drop so much pollen? I don't see it on the other hive as much, but it is subject to a bit more wind.
CVS,you may be exactly right. I did notice some variation in pollen and bee colors, but was mostly paying attention to trying to focus!
I need to harvest, and soon. Sigh. Maybe this weekend, or whenever I can rope Jill here in. . .
Jill, hello. Maybe they just drop it? if it's wind, it would be outside, not under. . . I have no clue. Wanna help harvest?
Those are fantastic images. I didn't realize that sunflowers provide so much pollen and that workers are so masochistic. That one bee just couldn't get enough!
I love the photos! I'm still waiting for the tomatoes and peppers to start rolling in, but we're finally getting a bit of warm weather which should help nudge things along.
Kristin, it's like my other favorite bee moment -- when they are rolling drunkenly around in squash blossoms!
Michelle, I'm not enjoying the heat, but maybe the tomatoes are. I hope you get enough to nudge all of your heat lovers along.
Something really wonderful about watching a bee at work - loaded up with pollen. They are magical little beeings (pardon the pun!).
kitsapFG, Groooooooaaan! I love, love,love puns.
lovely photos!
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