Bee Garden 2/30

The bees were crazy today, I am actually surprised I didn't get stung. They were swarming the coneflowers like they had never gathered pollen before but it was a perfect day. After a day of drizzle, the sun was out, the skies were blue and the clouds were amazing. It is really no wonder the bees were taking full advantage of it. I actually closed my eyes while shooting just to see if I could hear their excitement over their joyous discovery. Guess what? It was so loud, you would not have believed it. It was a purr, a practiced hum of work, busy work but also a great day in the garden. Close your eyes, what do you hear today? I hope it is magical!

Love Bug?

Bee Mine, Valentine?

I used to love handing out and especially receiving valentine's in school. Those handwritten notes scribbled by children pledging their love, admiration and happiness just for knowing you. How I wish I would have saved them. Can you imagine a box of these little treasures to leaf through when you needed it? 

A couple years ago I bought a box of those childhood valentines and sent them to family and friends just to have a little fun. The joy it brought me with all their calls was just precious and so unexpected. So, this year when they are marked clearance, buy a bunch to send out whenever the mood strikes. Not everyone is in a relationship but we all like being told how special we are and that we were thought of today. Imagine your surprise if you received one! The little joys of everyday are what makes life special, don't you think? I sure hope so!

Flight of the Bumble Bee

From reading the title you are now humming the tune, right? I was in the middle of taking this picture when that tune starting running through my brain. That's a normal happening for me, because I love music, but this time it was a little bit more. There were literally a little swarm of bees buzzing back and forth on these 4 foot tall coneflowers we have littered in huge clumps everywhere in the garden. I actually closed my eyes just to hear the sound amplified, it was a gentle hum of excitement and you could feel the energy in the air. Oh yes, I do have a love of these little creatures, but they do so much for my creative inspiration, how can I not?

Crab Apple Row

I loved this photo of the crab apples because of the way the blooms looked on this sprawling branch. All lined up looking pretty special for the shot. The sun casting a nice bronze look over all the flowers. Did you see him today? This one is tricky but I knew you were up for the challenge. Look closely in the void under the flowers, that hanging spot of golden yellow. Yep, that's him buzzing around looking for someplace luscious to land. Hope you've enjoyed being observers of nature through my eyes these past three days, it was great fun for me!

Caught

Some Thesaurus words for "observe" - beam, behold, catch, contemplate, detect, discover, examine, inspect, mark, monitor, perceive, recognize, regard, scrutinize, spot, spy, study, view, watch, witness.

After yesterday's post, I know you found that great bumble bee today in the photo, right? I can't help myself, he blends in so well with and looks just like the center of the flower (hint, far right). I was so amazed that I was able to capture him so well with the way he was flying. He dove into each and every flower center leaving nothing untapped or left over for the next bee that came this way. Besides, I just wanted you to take a look as this beautiful photo of my crab apples in bloom. They are something else this year, a feast for the eyes - enjoy!

Word - Observe

The word of the week is observe.

Its verb meaning - to conform one's action or practice to; celebrate; to make a scientific observation of; to see or sense especially through careful attention; to come to realize especially through consideration of noted facts; remark.

Did you see it? The dynamic bumble bee in flight to the far left. I sure hope I made you look at the picture again :D I took a second look myself and almost missed him. Even though in the garden, I made sure to catch him in the act of gathering nectar and pollen from the lovely crab apple trees surrounding our property. Don't you just love surprises? That's exactly how I felt cropping this photo, knowing you would be in for a lovely treat today. Enjoy and take time to observe all of nature, who knows what she has planned for you tomorrow!

Spring Guests

Spring time has arrived at my house, finally YEAH! The crocus are emerging all over the place and I just had to share photos of these little beauties. This on was being visited by the little ladybug so I kept my time short and sweet. Only when I was cropping did I notice the fly, did you see it right away? I sure didn't I was more concerned with catching the ladybug before it flew away. I love it when things you didn't plan turn out to be hidden discoveries!

Bee*guiling Charm

Some Thesaurus words for "fascinate" - allure, animate, arouse, attract, beguile, bewitch, charm, delight, draw, enchant, engage, enrapture, excite, gladden, hypnotize, intoxicate, invite, kindle, lure, mesmerize, owerwhelm, pique, please, provoke, ravish, rivet, seduce, stimulate, stir, tantalize, thrill, transfix, transport.

All I can say is "wow" are there some fantastic words up there, who knew? I just might have to use each of them as my word of the week just to enjoy them a little longer. If I had to pick my favorite, definately pique would be it. Not only because I love the spelling so much (the "q" gets me every time) but it has such a mysterious sound to it and transports me to another place of adventure. Which is yours and what does it inspire for you? I hope something wonderful and exciting!

Can You See Me?

I wanted something to brighten my outlook today and picked this photo because it is just so cheerful in coloration. The title refers to the hummingbird moth in flight. Did you see it? They are one of my most favorites things to spot in the garden and I'm always tickled pink when I see several of them working the flowers. I think the phlox are their favorite though because I can almost always find one or two of them there. I stood quietly with my eyes closed one day to see if I could hear them. The faint hum can be heard and it is quite distinct once you are familiar with the sound. If you ever see something small darting across your flower tops, I can guarantee it is probably a hummingbird moth. The don't seem to mind having their pictures taken either, just remember to have it on a quick speed for the best shots. Happy Sunday!

Decisions

Contemplating a new journey? Admiring the view? Searching for family and friends? Just hanging around?

Hum, I wonder which one of these this little guy is doing. I would be happy with any of the choices, how about you? I couldn't resist the shot. Not only is the shield bug very interesting to me but the shadows he is casting, just marvelous. Did you notice them? This was taken late in the afternoon, my favorite time for photos, because of the lowering sun. It always does magical things to the shadows - fat, longer, stretched - it's all good in my book. I'm just looking for an intriguing element to pull me closer for a more detailed view and believe me, the muse is there leading me around the yard until something wonderful happens by. Embrace it and let me know what you discover!

Rest Stop

We have so many sedums around the yard that anywhere you look there is some kind of flying insect around them. The pale greens are just lovely this time of year as they get ready to bloom into a deep lavender flower. This little damselfly is just hanging around enjoying the surroundings and found the perfect rest stop. Can you imagine what the world looks like through its eyes? I can't. Too much sensory overload for sure and where to look first, oh my. Flight would give you another perspective and our yard with its wonderful gardens would just be like finding a needle in a haystack. I sure hope it sees the world in color!

The Buzz

Bumble bees just love this plant because there is an endless supply of pollen. On this particular day there were giant specimens of this insect and truly remarkable to watch. When collecting the pollen, they load up pouches on their legs and arms and carry as much weight as they can back to the hive. I have always been fascinated by these tiny buzzing creatures and use them in decorating throughout the house.

Word - Discovery

The word this week is discovery.

Its noun meaning: the act or process of discovering; something discovered; the disclosure before a civil trial of pertinent facts or documents.

The photos this week are all about the little treasures I stumbled upon in the wondrous plant of milkweed. Throughout the week you will notice the blooming colors of pale green to a soft pale pink spattered with magenta. Not only is this one of my favorite weeds, I love it in all of its stages - flowers to the pods. If you have a little space, its sweet aroma will fill the area with all kinds of interesting treats for you to discover.

Tiny Detail

Some Thesaurus words for "charm" - allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, cajole, captivate, delight, draw, enamor, enrapture, enthrall, fascinate, grab, hex, hynotize, magnetize, mesmerize, please, tickle, transport, vamp, wile, win.

I was totally delighted to see the little red ladybug on this glorious yellow daffodil, a perfect scene in my book. It would make a great piece of art because of that tiny addition. I also like the way the top petals seem to melt into one another not really giving a sharp definition. It does help draw attention to the wonderful trumpet shape which is just stunning in detail. Hope you are taking advantage of the new growth and taking as many photos as possible. I know I am!

Word - Drive

The word for this week is drive.

Its verb meaning: to urge, push or force onward; to carry though strongly; to set or keep in motion or operation; force, compel; to project, inject or impress forcefully; to produce by opening a way; to progress with strong momentum.

This little bee reminds me that no matter what only you are responsible for striving forward. I'm struggling to wear the many hats and keep up with the various demands an artist faces but I will push forward and see the silver lining at the end of the deadline schedule. Please, let it be soon!

Symmetry

We have flower stalks all over the garden this time of year and it seems like no matter where you look, you will also see some kind of dragonfly resting among them. I loved the symmetry of the dark spotted wings against the tall stem. If only it would have cooperated and lined up the body with the stem it could have been symmetrical perfection! I let a little of the coneflower pink seep in at the edges just to add a touch of color. I love the juxtaposition between the dried and still blooming flowers, it gives it such an alive quality even though my focus is on the burnt out section of the garden. I hope you stop to look and I mean really look at what is around you - you never know what you might discover!

Odonata Class

Taught this class on Thursday at Hoot and had a great time. There were a lot of beginners in the class, 90% I would say. I was thrilled with their progress and skills - they all looked great! The comment I heard the most was listen to all that theory - a good thing I hope! I want to make you understand why you are doing what I am asking so that's why all the theory. I know they learned a lot and when asked if they would do colored pencil again, all YEAHs! Job well done.

Giddy Up

I had a couple cooperative dragonflies letting me get close enough to take a couple dozen photos so I wanted to share my favorite. I just love the way it grips the flower head as if riding a stick pony hence my title pun. Their balance intrigues me so much since the body is just so huge compared to the rest of it. These wings caught the light giving the ride just a little more expression. The wings on this dragonfly are dark near the body, white in the middle and clear on the ends. We have a lot of them near the pond and they give me great pleasure watching them cruise back and forth.

Honey Bee Pears

A walk through the tall, damp grass (mower me not doing a good job this year) lead me to our many fruit trees surrounding the pond. The pears are developing small fruit and of course I'm wanting to take another thousand and one photos but decided to share a painting I did on canvas board with you instead. It combined my love of the honey bee and the wonderful fruit pears. The colors just warm you and connect you to the earth, don't you think? I did a little series of these including insects and fruit and loved the idea of making it look like a label. Explore your creativity and combine two of your favorite things and see what you can come up with. Roses and lace, teddy bears and toys, horses and barns - the list is endless but the possibilities can keep you drawing for years to come.

Hidden Bee

I love these dark irises that are almost black in color unless the sun hits them turning them the most beautiful blue violet hue. Aren't they pretty exotic looking?
I didn't even notice the bee until I started cropping the photo. It looks like a planned shot with the little bee standing on the edge deciding whether or not to go in for some nectar.

I sometimes feel like that little bee when I'm trying to decide which path to take my business down. I'm working on that right now, to stay where I'm comfortable or jump into another arena and let my creativity soar and reach for new heights. I'm always up for a challenge and usually jump in feet first, thinking about the after effects later. The possibilities in the art world are endless, I'm just wondering which road will be the correct one for myself. To see me write "let my creativity soar" and actually read the words out loud, how can I not take a risk? I'll keep you posted!