pretty exciting, right? Yesterday, we hit 54 degrees ~ the first time we'd seen that warm a temperature in a looonnnnggg time. I'm SO serious ~ I can't remember when it was last in the 50's ~ sometime last fall, I'm sure (it's been that kind of winter). Anyway, the sunshine and warm weather drew out people and insects alike, including yours truly. I hardly wanted to go indoors at the end of the day, so much to do and so good to be back outdoors. One of the things I did was hook the filter back up in the pond. So much algae growth over the winter with the greenhouse panels heating the water. While I was connecting the tubing to the pump, I kept getting buzzed by bees. I'm pretty sure they were happy to be out too but aside from a stray snowdrop or two, there wasn't a lot blooming for them. Never one to leave well enough alone, and feeling sorry for them, I went in the house and brought my vase of pink tulips outdoors. Immediately one bee found the blooms:
Bzzzzzzz. Love that happy sound....
He wasn't sure where the tulips came from, but he wasn't asking questions.
You gotta love that about bees ~ they're all business.
It didn't take long to get the word out ~ pretty soon my tulip bouquet was swarmed with bees:
Not sure it was good I "helped" them out or not?? I won't have tulips in vases to bring outside every day but for this day, it was a happy sight for both of us.
I love this story and the photos are beautiful~Kathleen, you brought needed sunshine to my day. Thank you so very much~gail
Posted by: Gail | March 03, 2010 at 03:48 PM
Beautiful pictures Kathleen! I'm sure the bees appreciated the tulips and didn't care where they came from!
I think it was good that you brought out the tulips. The bees around here come out and feed all during the winter whenever it warms into the 50's.
Posted by: Sweet Bay | March 03, 2010 at 04:40 PM
Way cool photos Kathleen!!! Those poor little bees were so thrilled to have your tulips, so very glad you brought them out.
You can send some of that warm weather our way!
Posted by: Janet | March 03, 2010 at 06:47 PM
Hi Kathleen~~ The honeys the bumbles, the masons... all bees make me happy. You've got some fantastic photos there. And the PINK tulips, ooh, la, la!
Posted by: Grace | March 04, 2010 at 12:23 AM
Kathleen girl those are fantastic pictures ! I think they may tell all the other bees to visit you too for a free meal : )
Love those tulips .. like Grace said .. PINK : ) has to make you smile ? LOL
Joy
Posted by: Joy | March 04, 2010 at 04:50 AM
wow - those are amazing pics of the bees! my boys loved them! hoping for sunshine here - today we woke up to another dusting of snow...
Posted by: Alice Golden | March 04, 2010 at 06:12 AM
That was sweet of you to bring flowers to bees. Otherwise they would have been very disappointed. Bee keepers feed bees sugar water in very, very shallow plates (maybe with stones for landing). I wonder if they would make due with that until something blooms.
Marnie
Posted by: marnie | March 04, 2010 at 07:19 AM
That's really neat that the bees found those tulips like that. What great pictures! So glad your weather is warming! Don't be surprised if you see lots of string algae in your pond now. This time of year it can get bad. As the temps warm more and more there's less of it though.
Posted by: Catherine | March 04, 2010 at 09:08 AM
Glad to hear you are getting some warmer temps. Those honey bees were loving the tulips. Beautiful pictures and so nice of you to share your tulips with the bees. ;-)
Lona
Posted by: Lona | March 04, 2010 at 09:36 AM
Oh, my. I'm just going to be content to keep waiting... ;-) Your photos are fantastic - and your header photo is perfect. Have a great day, Kathleen!
Posted by: Shady Gardener | March 04, 2010 at 11:38 AM
That is just the most amazing thing, ever, Kathleen! Just fabulous shots, I can here the wings buzzing. I did't realize they would go to cut flowers. Of course we never have any cut flowers with our plant eating cat, but this is just too wonderful for words. So is 54 degrees! :-)
Frances
Posted by: Frances | March 04, 2010 at 02:36 PM
Warmth? You had warmth? Lucky you! We had plenty of sunshine, and it was just warm enough to melt the snow. But I wouldn't call it true warmth, that's for sure. How clever of you to bring your tulips out for the bees! Not even snowdrops here, still waiting for the snow to recede. Slowly but surely!
Posted by: RobinL | March 04, 2010 at 07:53 PM
Those are the coolest pictures!
Posted by: Victoria | March 10, 2010 at 05:39 PM
What a wonderful idea! The bees were obviously very grateful. How in the world do you get such wonderful closeups?
Wish could pick your brain about photography. You have such skill with your camera.
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos.
Those Eranthus closeups with the bee are fantastic!
Posted by: kerri | April 02, 2010 at 07:48 AM