While taking a stroll near the butterfly garden, the sound of busy bees caught my attention, and I realized that my little pollinating friends had moved from the pumpkin flowers over to a nice big batch of native plants, and my gardener's heart did a little pitter-patter.
But in observing them, I realized something I'd never noticed before. Gregg's Mistflower produces white pollen.
My mind was boggled. In all my years watching wildlife, I never knew that pollen could be anything but yellow?
In the same patch of flowers, the honeybees on the Zexmenia had bright orange pollen baskets on their little legs.
This little bee has been to both Mistflower and Zexmenia. His pollen is pale orange.
I was fascinated. Today was a day where nature just had me reeling.
When I could tear my eyes away from the bees, I noticed a beautiful male Queen butterfly keeping me company.
And on the Fall Aster, newly blooming just on the other side of the Gregg's Mistflower, little hoverflies enjoyed a feast without getting the attention of the bigger bees nearby.
Sure enough, these little flies can hover. Someone sure came up with a brilliant name for them! (Hey, guess what hoverflies eat? Aphids! Yay!)
Pollination inspiration, here's my poem for the day:
Flyby
© Great Stems
Fly little fly
Fly little bee
Queen be flying
But not Queen Bee
Meredith,
Really good post! I've watched bees on about every kind of flower and never have I seen them with white pollen on their cute little legs. The Queen photo is excellent.
What a great post. The photos are to die for! That butterfly shot is amazing!!
Isn't it fun to shoot such charmers? Very nice.
I never knew pollen could be white either. Very interesting and love these blooms with the insects friends interacting with them. I used to be so scared of bees but now I understand how much they help out our gardens and I am fascinated by them.
Rosey Pollen ( how could I resist commenting on pollen?)
I always learn something when I visit here. Very interesting about the white pollen. I don't think I've even seen it, either.
And, great photos, as usual.
I feel like a real dummy for not paying as close attention as you are. Thanks for the great educational post and fantastic photos!
White pollen.... who would have thought. Your photos are amazing! I wish I could pics like that. -Jackie
Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen a photograph of the little pollen baskets. Those are wonderful photographs. I think you should seriously consider shopping your photos around, if you don't already.
Love the poem! ha!!!
Absolutely breathless photos! And do you have a book of poems and illustrations in progress? I love perusing your work...