let sleeping bees lie??

I believe the answer is "yes."  That was my intention too when I found this bee sleeping inside a squash blossom:

but you know I couldn't resist taking his photo!  When I did that, the clicking of the camera roused him:

Feeling slightly guilty, I backed off & went back to watering ~ when I checked back, he had resumed sleeping.  I'm glad I didn't disturb him too much!  My friend Gail would know exactly what kind of bee he is but unfortunately not me.  All I know is he isn't a honey or bumble bee.

I was able to photograph him immediately because I've taken to wearing my camera around my neck each time I go outside now.  That practice was started so as not to miss any opportunities at photographing the newly arriving hummingbirds.  You never know when they'll present you with one & I want to be ready!  I have a LOT of room for improvement but here's the latest:

Slightly overexposed but don't worry, I'll keep trying!

My best chances are found near their favorite flowers which (in my garden) are Crocosmia, Monarda, Delphinium 'Red Carolina:'

Hosta, Zauschneria 'arizonica,'  phygelius, agastache & the red petunias in the little urn container below:

These blooms are spaced around the back garden & keep both them & me zipping between them.

Two new blooms (not hummingbird attractors) that I've not been very successful getting established are Phlox 'David:'

which I think needs to be in a sunnier location (I only have the two shown above:)

and the same problem (I think) for double Hollyhock 'Peaches 'N Dreams:'

Poor plant ~ it's only about 3' tall which is not right at all! 

I will be moving it this fall because I definitely want more:

I'm a total glutton for this color!

Maybe it would look good near 'Crown Princess Margareta' which is also reblooming:

Both are nothing short of luscious....

On an uglier note, a new arrival ~ I'm not so thrilled about ~ are jagged ambush bugs.  They don't usually show up here until mid summer but when they do, it's not hard to know as lifeless pollinators are dead giveaways (sometimes still seen in their clutches.)  I usually pick them off but I'm never successful at being casualty-free.  Perhaps a goal for another year???  or maybe too ambitious to attain??

 

Comments

[Darla]

I love the intoxicated bees! Don't recall ever seeing a delphinium that color, gorgeous.

[Lona]

Oh wow Kathleen. I am in love girl with that red Delphinium. Just gorgeous!! Do you save seeds? LOL! Hint. LOL!
I love the picture of the bee inside of the bloom. What a fantastic picture! Have a lovely weekend.

[Janet, The Queen of Seaford]

Peaches and Dreams..stunning.

That little bee is super!! What a great couple pictures. Good for you to carry your camera with you in the garden...great catches!

[Dana]

Beautiful photos as always! And thanks to you I have added another plant to my wish list....Red Carolina - what a stunner! Did you order this in a catalog, or find in a nursery? I added the David Phlox last year - full sun and it has been blooming for a very long time. It's beautiful and smells delicious...I'm sure you love yours too. The bee pics are so wonderful. You are so talented my friend!

[sweetbay]

Gorgeous pictures of the bee, hollyhock and rose!!