I just love my bees… I have all kinds of bees visiting my lavender right now which is one of their favorite plants. I did not harvest any flowers this year and my 12 plants are loaded with tons of beautiful blooms. This bumblebee has been working hard all day and has gathered lots of pollen (the orange balls attached to a worker or queen back legs). For more information and pictures see Bumblebees Collecting Pollen in my Garden.
I took many pictures and finally got a shot that focused on this bumblebee which was worthy of posting. If you want bees in your garden and we all do don’t we – plant some lavender as the bees go crazy over it.
Beautiful head shot don’t you think? Am I being stared at!!! Bumblebees have five eyes – two large ones on the front of their head and 3 smaller ones on the top of their head.
I am linking this post to Fiesta Friday #127 where Angie, Suzanne and Jess are hosting this weeks’ party.
This is a picture from 2014…
A beautiful bed of lavender to grace a lovely post. Thank you for sharing. 🐞
Thanks for you nice comment. Lavender is beautiful in more ways than one – happy to share one of my herb beds with the visitors 🙂
I planted lavender for the first time this year but it’s small and hasn’t bloomed yet. My butterfly plants are just starting, though. I haven’t seen many bees on my flowers which make me nervous. I see people spraying their lawns for mosquitos and I know it will have an impact on our butterflies and bees.
You will love lavender Julie for its color, attraction to bees and it is an edible flower. I bet you will grow more next year! People need to build screened in porches to keep the mosquitos away and quit spraying. Any chemical will have an impact – how much remains to be seen.
Such pretty photos! I can imagine how wonderful the lavender aroma is all around. 🙂
Thanks Ronit – no wonder the bees love lavender when it’s blooming – the aroma is intoxicating 🙂
Lavender is one of my favorites and I love the bees it’s attracts too 🙂 I only wish I know where they were making my lavender honey at! Some day I’ll track it down 🐝
It’s very easy to make your own lavender honey – you just need lavender flowers and a mild honey such as clover. Heat the honey and lavender flowers for about 30-40 minutes. Lavender can vary in its strength – just taste test to get the flavor you like. A lot cheaper too. 🙂
I had no idea!! What a wonderful little piece of knowledge!! Thanks for sharing Juju I can’t wait to try this 🙂
Ahhh, another great bee shot! Kudos, Judi!
Thanks Patty – I wait until the end of the day to take pictures when the bees are loaded with pollen 🙂
You’re brave to get so close to a bumblebee! Great shot, tho. I’m surprised that my lavender is still doing great, with all of the sporadic rain we’ve had.
Nah – the bees are too interested in gathering the pollen to be concerned about me. Hard to focus and get a good picture. Lavender usually likes it on the dry side which is our weather.
Exactly, and we’ve had quite a bit of rain this year. It’s a little brown around the edges, but still hanging in there!
Gorgeous photos Judi! Thank you for the tip!
Thanks Antonia – the bees are always happy to come to my gardens – lots of flowers for them 🙂
Your lavender is just gorgeous Judi, love the bee’s as well. Thank you for bringing these great photo’s to the party.
Thanks Suzanne – I let the bees have it all this year but I will cut it back soon and should get another flowering. Two favorite things in my garden; bees and my lavender.
No wonder the bees love your lavender!
Lots of whorls of flowers and I think the bees have enjoyed every one of them 🙂
Amazing photos, Judi! Thanks for the education too… never knew what that “orange thing” was!!
Mother Nature at work for sure Nancy 🙂 Busy little bees…