Although I'm lucky to have a healthy population of honey and mason bees, I rarely see bumblebees anymore, which is why I got excited when I saw that fat yellow and black creature buzzing about my massive
Lupinus propinquus. I ran in and grabbed my camera and was happy to find her still flitting from flower to flower when I returned. My first couple of photos weren't great but I captured one pretty good shot before she grew too irritated with me and buzzed off.
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| Not the best shot but unmistakably a bumblebee |
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| A good shot of the pollen sac she was carrying with her |
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| This was my best shot I think, as well as my last - it's my Wednesday Vignette |
The lupine appears to be a hit with both the bees and the birds. The birds like to land on the plant's stiff stems and survey the surrounding area before taking a dip in the fountain.
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| House finch resting on the lupine's stem. That house in the background is actually on the other side of the canyon that separates my neighborhood from the one to the east but the distance was foreshortened by the camera. |
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| A male house finch entertaining 2 females in the fountain alongside the lupine |
I found a few aphids attempting to set up shop on the lupine but I sent them packing (I hope). Otherwise, the plant seems to be settling in nicely.
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| Although I continue to deadhead spent flowers, the lupine's branches continue to stretch further and further |
For more Wednesday Vignettes,
visit Anna at Flutter & Hum.
All material © 2012-2016 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
