All the activity I saw was centred on a new tree I had planted a few weeks ago. One day when I was looking round the local Focus store I spotted some small grafted weeping pussy willow trees and though that one would look nice next to the pond. With the warmer weather the catkins have started opening and yesterday there were constant visits from the local bees. I watched as one bumble bee flew over the roof of the building and made a bee line for the tree.
Love the way this bee clings on to the branches and squeezes through to get at the nectar.
Fill those pollen sacks
With the warmer weather there is less strain on the seed feeders as the birds find more of their natural food but I still get quite a few corvids first thing each morning. This Rook presented a lovely side view for a portrait.
Good Morning, John it’s a duller damp looking one here today. Hope it’s nice again with you so you can get sitting out with your camera :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat brilliant captures with the bee. Having tried to follow them on a plant myself it’s quite tricky keeping up with them! You did well there :-)
Hungry bees and Henry has been seen at the feeders again too! You’re garden is certainly all-a-buzz now ;-)
Good Morning Shirl. Dull and damp here today also.
ReplyDeleteThe bees were being very cooperative. As it was the only plant they were interested in I could concentrate on the one tree. The main problem was the wind blowing the thin branches all over the place. I just had to wait for little lulls in the wind.
Henry is only appearing every so often. He may still be snoozing some nights but at least there is food available to replace all that fat he must have lost during hibernation.
Hi John, your pictures of the bees on the pussy willow catkins are really superb - the lighting, the soft colours, the magnificent detail and of course the subject matter - wonderful harbingers of Spring. They are a true delight to look at.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots of the bees John, I have seen a few Bumbles in the last week now, good to see them about again.
ReplyDeleteI love that fat little bumblebee in the first photo. Such a lovely spring image. I wish we had a bit of that spring here. I don't know why, but this sentence made me laugh, "As usual, in the hour I sat there, not one bird came anywhere near the pond." Isn't that always the way?
ReplyDeleteThank you Twosie. The Sun direction was just right to illuminate the catkins. It was nice to see so many bees active. Spring is finally here.
ReplyDeleteThank you Roy. I had seen the odd Bumble over the past few days but that was the first time I had see so many bees at once this year.
ReplyDeleteHello Kelly. My favourite is the upside down one. As for waiting for birds - it is indeed always the way. Choose one subject to concentrate on and guarantee they will stay away.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your encouragement John. I love your photos and especially the rooks.Being Irish rooks and crows have a very special place in our stories.I'm glad to have found your site as I really want more on the gardening and wildlife activities in our country.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures of the bees on the Pussy Willow Catkins John. I try to provide plants that are attractive to bees in my garden and The Weeping Pussy Willow tree looks like a good tree to have in providing nectar for our bees at this time of year. I will have to give it some thought and see if I can fit one in. How big will it grow?
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. The pussy willows in Focus are about 4ft tall, only growing another 8 inches at the most and up to 3ft wide so are very compact really. Cost under £10 each. I intend to get a couple more so I have a line of them at one end of the pond.
ReplyDeleteHello Gerry. Thank you for visiting and your kind comment.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny that the birds all disappear when you decide to sit outside to watch them! Perhaps you need to cover yourself in camoflage netting!
ReplyDeleteHello Matron. I sit a reasonable distance away and the birds don't usually mind. It may have been the timing. I need to try again earlier or later in the day, when it stops raining!
ReplyDeleteI have also noticed more bee activity this week. Excellent shots John; presume you are liking the new lens?
ReplyDeleteThank you Frank. Yes I am enjoying the new lens and getting used to it being a tad slower than my f4 70-200mm. Slower focussing as well.
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