Sunday, June 29, 2008

Sunday Safari

A cool breeze from the north played the strings of the
wind harp this morning.
I stood on the back sidewalk and watched the bees
in the coreopsis.

The Bumblebees,



the Leafcutters



and the Mason bees found pollen.

The Painted Ladies found nectar.

Coreopsis is a native perennial in my area.
My hedge is 30 feet long, 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall.
It blooms from the first of June through September,
with only one pruning in July for rebloom.
It is a continuous food source for the bees and the butterflies.
Very easy to propagate and grows best in full sun.

32 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I love that bumble bee looking directly into the camera. Great pictures Sherry.

Cheryl said...

Beautiful post Sherry....lovely bee shots....and a wonderful coreopsis hedge, I like this idea. It must be beautiful. I can only grow this particular plant in tubs. Rabbits adore them, they never survive being in a border, they will eat them overnight. Nasty little beasties...lol
Look forward to next Sunday....

Barbara said...

It is also an amusing picture, the hungry bee with its yellow little feet full of pollen starting to land on the next flower....

ChrisND said...

Some great pictures of many things enjoying your Coreopsis. That sounds like a grand hedge. I have to agree, the shot of the bumblebee is great.

PAT said...

Beautiful, Sherry!

We have a bit of Coreopsis, down by the creek. Our Hostas are blooming and we've seen bees around them, this weekend.

Have a wonderful week. We're headed to the beautiful Ozarks!
Pat

Anonymous said...

Great photos - it's nice to see bees thriving! I love coreopsis and will have to check whether it's native to Michigan.

Anonymous said...

such amazing up close photos that you captured! Bravo

Jayne said...

Oh, I love these photos Sherry! Such sharpness and color! BRAVO!

Deb said...

Sunday Safari is a fun post. I love coreopsis too - our has just begun to bloom.

Jeanne said...

Your photographs are amazing and so are you~
Love you
Jeanne

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the bug safari and I am going to come every week from now on...

kkryno said...

Sherry; sorry I have missed your blog for the past few days, but I've been enjoying the girls. Just wanted to check and "see" how you're doing. Beautiful bees! Love, Vikki

Rose said...

I have one small "Moonbeam" coreopsis; I had no idea a coreopsis could grow that large. It must be beautiful in bloom! Enjoyed the bees; between you and Cheryl I am learning the different species.

Wendy said...

Vibrant yellows always look so cheerful. I enjoyed the bees feasting on your hedge flowers.

Forgot to ask you - where do I find software for the music/slideshow? Enjoyed your Acoustic Brazil and Midsummer night's dream.

Mel said...

Hi Sherry!
I just love that first picture!!

Naturegirl said...

Sherry it is wonderful to come by and see the bees and butterflies!I've not seen many bees around my garden but soon I hope..perhaps I've not been there at the right time.I know they are about as I hear them buzzing..that's agood thing.

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
I can stand and watch bees for hours. We have honey bees, carpenter bees and ground dwelling bees too. Lots of bees! This year is my "Year of the Bee". 2009 is to be "Year of the Dragonfly".
I am learning about the different bees that live in my backyard.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Thank you. I was hoping to do my post on just one bug like you did but I ended up doing it on one plant!
The coreopsis hedge is pretty. My rabbitts leave it alone. For the most part my bunnies eat clover and tender romaine lettuce.
I also am looking forward to bug hunting next week. It is fun knowing you are also on the hunt!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Barbara,
I love the way the bees fill their bellies or their pollen sacks with pollen. The Bumbles do seem to be covered sometimes.
I like taking pictures of the bees!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Chris,
I like hedges. I plant as many as I can! I do enmass plantings too.
I am working on increasing my Bee Balm stand. Once it blooms it is covered with bees and butterflies.
The best part of summertime are the bees.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Pat,
Enjoy the lake. Hope it is not too crowded. Be full of care. July 4th weekend can get wild!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Wren,
I hope it is! My bees really love it. I planted this hedge about 15 years ago. I started with just a few plants. Propagating is easy.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Tom,
To get up close I have to stand way far back and zoom in! I could use a macro lens! I tell my husband all the time how much I "need" one. He thinks I am doing fine with the lens I have....
Thanks. I work at it sometimes.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Jayne,
Bees...I hope everyone is enjoying their bees.
Thanks!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Deb,
Going on Safari with Cheryl is fun too. If you want you too could hunt for bugs on Sunday!
I would love seeing your bees!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Jeanne,
Thank you. I do like taking pretty pictures!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Emma,
Great!
Pop over to Cheryl's too. Her English bugs are wonderful! I love her bees.
Hope to see you next week.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Vikki,
I thought your darlings were coming. Having granddaughter near must be a gift from heaven! My neice just came back from a trip visiting her in-laws that live in Alaska. She brought some amazing landscape pictures. I told her I had a friend named Vikki, that lived in Anchorage. I hope that is right! LOL!
I shall pop over and see if you have pictures up of your darling little one.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Rose,
This hedge is Moonbeam! You can propagate your plants. They divide easily in the spring. I do think it is very pretty. The bees and butterflies think so too.
I should post pictures of the rest of the bees around here too. We have lots.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Wendy,
The software is free. Google search, "Photostory". It is microsoft and easy to download. Fun too! I would love to see your slide shows.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mel,
Thanks! Hope you are getting some rest inbetween work and writing.
Time with the bees is always time well spent!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Anna,
They are being shy with you!
LOL
Sherry