Yesterday saw the arrival of the very large bumble bees, I don’t think I have seen ones that big since being in Spain. But they also love the buddleia, even disappearing into it on their forage. But this one was a timely hit of the record button in slow motion as it took off. It was only after playing it back did I realise that the sound had picked up the wings sounding like a chopper 🙂 – sound on for full effect.
(c) K Wicks
The buddleia has been attracting many butterflies and Bees today. I managed to catch a shot of one taking off while filming in slow motion. Check out the YouTube vid.
(c) K Wicks
We have a few house guests that have taken up residence. Two appeared in the utility at opposite ends, but one was having a photogenic moment.
I also rescued a small one out of the bath yesterday and put it on the bathroom fern, so presume that one is still around too. I don’t mind them if they don’t surprise me. And they live if they stay off the floor. My dog has a habit of ‘playing’ with them, which never ends well for the spider.
(c) K Wicks
It has taken a while, but finally the buddleia bush is blooming. Not so much on the purple this year, the white has decided to shine through on this tri coloured variety. Although up until now, it’s only been purple last year, purple and white this year, so not sure where the third colour has gone. The birds kept nipping off the little buds when they appeared in spring, so maybe that did something to affect it. But since it has gone for it, and the weather has warmed again, it has been inundated with bees and butterflies. Red admirals, honey bees, tortoiseshells and bumble bees. Also had a small white yesterday as well. I have finally got the right flowers!
(c) K Wicks
Some of the new flowers I bought earlier in the year that survived the postage, the wildlife and the weather are now in full bloom and are bringing many bees in. I didn’t know they would be so bee friendly, but it’s a nice suprise. This visitor went through every flower on the salvia ‘hot lips’ one. It was quite a task to get some shots in while it was doing it’s thing, bit I got a couple of awesome ones. In the third picture you can really appreciate how long their tongues are to be able to get to the nectar with such long petals in the way.
(c) K Wicks
Quite a change to the usual situation where I see a butterfly and they immediately sense my excitement and leave. Or they are often just passing through, as they do. But this one stayed for a while, even moving onto different plants and a leaves and waiting for me to take a shot. First three pics are from this month, the last one is from last year when it was the lavendar tempting them in. The buddleia has now established itself, so hopefully that will give them plenty to stop by for.
(c) K Wicks
This morning there was a tiny snail making his way over the basil…
(c) K Wicks
It dawned on me that I frequently see pictures of crab spiders hiding under the petals of flowers, so thought I would go and give the calendula a look. It really is the flower that keeps on giving. There it was, just hiding under the petals as expected. I had to wait for it to come out, and contend with a very windy day. Nothing was staying still, but still I tried.
He didn’t seem happy once he spotted me and I have to give up and come back later. We was there for a couple of days until the flower was spent, so I did get my opportunity for a good shot.
This time he didn’t seem to mind being photographed and just waited, I was most pleased.
(c) K Wicks
After the bee in the calendula, I turned around, and there was a small white on the buudleia (which finally has bloomed after being repeatedly clipped by the birds!).
(c) K Wicks
This little bee stopped for a clean and a rest today on the calendula. It was awesome to watch.
(c) K Wicks
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