bees — Page 7

Observation Mode

June 16, 2017 at 8:40 am by Claudia

I mowed the back forty yesterday. Don had asked about the black raspberries so I was in ‘observation mode.’

The milkweed is getting ready to flower.

This wildflower is scattered throughout the back forty. Does anyone know what it is? It has lovely little bell-shaped blossoms.

I watched this determined bee (took many photos) get right inside that blossom.

Until he was completely curled up enjoying that nectar.

There they are. The black raspberries are on the way. I sent this photo to Don. Can you freeze black raspberries? If so, I might freeze some so he can enjoy them when he gets home.

This branch gives you an idea how flower-laden the catalpa is at the moment. I stood right here and put my nose up to the flowers. Oh, so lovely, that scent.

They are here but briefly, so I am running over to the tree as often as I can to get a whiff.

As you know, when I walk toward the shed or the trash can which is right next to the shed, mama robin flies up into the tree and starts cheeping at me and doesn’t stop until I move away. This goes on every day. I assure her that the babies are safe. I’m sure she absolutely loves those days when I don’t have to go in the shed or put a bag in the trash.

Anyway, I figured that since I was mowing and I would have to put the lawnmower away in the shed, I would also take my camera and, while she was cheeping at me anyway, grab a quick picture of the babies in the nest. I didn’t want to be too intrusive, so I quickly lifted one of the vines and pressed the shutter. It’s a bit blurry, but I think you’ll like it.

I count three babies and maybe a fourth, as the body in the foreground looks as if that birdie’s head is tucked out of sight.

What a wise place for a nest! It’s nestled within the climbing hydrangea. You can’t see it at all unless you know where to look. It provides cover for the babies – from predators and from the weather. Smart mama and papa!

Speaking of birds, I’ve got a couple of noisy crows hanging around. I wonder if they’re scaring off some of the birds? I haven’t seen my mourning doves this week and I bet those darned crows are the reason!

Happy Friday.

Paths, Flowers, Birds, Bees

May 23, 2017 at 9:28 am by Claudia

This is a bit of what I was doing on Sunday – mulching a path to that crabapple tree that I discovered behind the house. This area is just off the back of the house and some of the kitchen windows look out on it. It’s at the bottom of a hill (coming down from the back forty) and is often waterlogged after a rain. Slowly – and I mean slowly – I’m trying to do something with it, so it’s not just grass and wildflowers and weeds, and poison ivy – which is everywhere around here. I cleared this path a month or so ago and now I’m adding the mulch. I ran out of it, so I’ll buy some more today.

At the wooded edge of the back forty, there is a wild honeysuckle that is pink. I meant to take a picture of it a week ago and forgot, but here is a hint of that pink color. It’s so pretty.

This climbing hydrangea climbs up the left side of the shed. I planted it years ago and was aware that it might take years for blossoms to appear. Indeed, it took about 6 years. Then I started to see one or two each year. This year, there are more than I’ve ever seen, which makes me happy.

There’s more to this story. Right behind that hydrangea, robins have built a nest, I believe it’s sitting on the window sill/window box. Every time I walk near the hydrangea, which I must do if I take the trash out or go into the shed for any reason, i.e., retrieving the lawn mower, a robin barrels out from behind the hydrangea, screeching at me all the while and then proceeds to fly into the trees with a steady chirp chirp chirp of warning that doesn’t stop until I move away.

It’s becoming a bit tiresome. There is also a bumblebee that has some sort of nest there as well, and he dive-bombs me when I get too close. Between the two of them, I’m under attack! My apologies to my sweet honeybees who I originally thought were the source of the buzzing in my ear. It wasn’t you. I should have know better.

I took that photo very quickly as the robin was not happy with me and I had to get out of there.

After taking so long that I thought maybe it was no more, the clematis is steadily climbing the trellis. Can’t wait to see those gorgeous purple flowers!

And every day, I eagerly visit the poppies to see if they’ve bloomed. I haven’t checked yet today, but rest assured, you’ll be the first to know – either here or on Instagram.

I’m determined to find a hollyhock to plant and I have to buy more mulch, run to the bank, and stop at the grocery store. And do more work outside.

A busy day ahead.

Happy Tuesday.

Random on Monday

April 3, 2017 at 9:43 am by Claudia

• I took a photo of my view this morning and realized I hadn’t turned the calendar to April. So I started over. My usual cluttery desk; eye drops, filofax, coffee cup, pens notes to myself all over the place.

• Yesterday was sunny and in the upper fifties. That may not seem very warm to some of you, understandably, but to me? Oh joy! I actually felt the warmth of the sun on my back. I didn’t do much, but I did start to clean up the porch. And I took the two white chairs (which had been stored on the porch) back to their home on the Funky Patio. Today promises to be at least partly sunny and a bit warmer than yesterday. I have some errands to run and I aim to stop and feed the horses for Don. He really misses them. I think I’ll send Don some pictures.

• The honey bees are back. They seemed a little wary of me – maybe they were surprised by a human! They weren’t there last week, so they’ve just reestablished their home in the catalpa. I spoke to them and told them they had nothing to fear from us. Hopefully, they’ll behave. All that being said, I am very happy when I see bees of any kind. We need them.

• The Manchurian Candidate was on TCM last night. It has always been a chilling and brilliant movie, but at this time in our country it’s more powerful than ever.

Quote from one of the characters: “I despise John Iselin and everything that Iselinism has come to stand for. I think if John Iselin were a paid Soviet agent, he could not do more to harm this country than he’s doing now.”

Hmmmm. “paid Soviet agent…” This has always been one of my favorite movies, but last night’s viewing was the first time I’d watched it since that man came to power and I was riveted.

• Egg cups that live in the den: