Tag Archives: pollinators

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #190: Close and Closer

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This week Patti reminds us of the Robert Capa quote – “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” I have delved back into last summer archives to find some examples.

Bees always look better up close.

As do butterflies.

Six on Saturday – 5th March 2022

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A mixed week but the last couple of days have been frosty and then bright. Feeling very like spring, and first pollinators are emerging so bit of a pollinator theme going on this week. Many thanks for our host “The Propagator” for hosting Six on Saturday. Check out the participation guide.

My first this week is a dandelion with the first of the pollinators, a hoverfly, which I think is Eristalis pertinax. It is really important that we leave dandelions to bloom as they are a very important food source for these early emerging pollinators.

Dandelion with hoverfly

Crocuses are another great food source for queen bumblebees that are emerging from hibernation at this time of year.

Crocus

Willow catkins, again here being used by hoverflies, and they will also be used by bumblebees.

Hoverfly on willow catkin

As will Hellebores.

Hellebores

I love daffodils – and the larger ones are also flowering now – bees will use them but only if they are really hungry and can’t find anything more appealing.

Daffodil

And finally this week the frogs have pretty much finished spawning in the garden pond (this photo is from earlier in the week). I hope the spawn won’t get too frosted.

Frogs

Wishing everyone a great gardening week.

Six on Saturday – 21 August 2021

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The weather here has turned autumnal, but sunny weather is to return next week or so the weather men tell us.

A quick Six on Saturday this week. First soapwort which has got somewhat battered by the thunder showers.

  • Soapwort

Next are runner beans – they are not thriving this year. I think it may be mainly the weather (often quite cold) that is not suiting them.

  • Runner beans

Onions are also disappointing. The one hot week of weather we had sent a lot to seed early and they never got very big.

  • Onions drying

Cucumbers on the other hand are doing pretty good.

  • Cucumbers

While the wasps have some reason taken a fancy to the raspberries.

  • Wasps on raspberries

I was going to show you my caterpillar munched Brussel sprout plants but instead a carder bee picture to finish in a positive note!

  • Carder bee