05 June 2011

I Heart Macro: Busy

Bee on red Papaver (?) variety, Magdalena, NM, June 2011
Small wasp on Gaillardia bud
If you plant it, they will come.... My gardens are full of life these days, both flora and fauna. I've seen several different kinds of bees, which bodes well for the veggie garden, along with black swallowtail caterpillars (who love fennel), various butterflies, ladybugs, some kind of winged aphid-eater, and even a dragonfly hovering around my fountain. Just about all of my perennials survived the winter thanks to a thick bed of straw, monthly deep watering, and an early spring dose of Yum-Yum Mix (an organic fertilizer); many of them also dropped seeds that are now sprouting, which will make the perennial beds that much more lush. Since everything is on the drip system, they get just the water they need, and I've noticed the birds and bugs also enjoying a drink while it's on.  I think I've gotten a pretty cool little ecosystem going here, kind of an oasis given how dry this year has been.


Moth on Salvia nemorosa "May Night"
So that's today's I Heart Macro post; I couldn't play along last week because the endless winds (which should have been gone weeks ago) made any photography impossible, particularly macro. Yesterday and today have been much calmer, thank goodness; constant wind makes me edgy....

Fuzzy-legged honeybee (Melissodes) on Gaillardia

10 comments:

Kym Hunter Designs said...

Wonderful flower and critter pictures! The salvia is so pretty and I love the colors of the Gaillardia. Have a great day!

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

Fab shots! I love all the details your photos show!

KristiBowmanDesign said...

Every photo is stunning, love the bees!!

Regina said...

Nature's colors, so vivid, well captured. Thanks for sharing the beauty of your garden.

kimmykats said...

Anna, these are wonderful..I was on the look out for my praying mantis but, no signs of them yet. These are really just so beautiful!! My oh my!!

Sara said...

Great photos, happy gardening!

CraftyHope said...

WOW! The fuzzy legs do creep me out a bit (reminds me of spider legs) but I do love some honeybees!
Wonderful shots one and all!

Marilyn said...

Your photos are just gorgeous. One of these days I will splurge for a macro lens.

Jenni said...

I love your photos, Anna, especially the last two, amazing with the bee and honey bee on them. One day I hope to take shots like this!
Jenni

Lori P said...

Your photos are amazing. The subjects, the color, the MACRO! Have a great week.