The Bird & The Bee
OK… so I’m really skating the edge of my “one-a-day post” promise with this one… but, technically it is still Monday… for at least 30 more minutes! *smirk* I confess that I had big plans for all the stuff I was going to get done today, including a fantastic blog post. But, it was so incredibly gorgeous outside this morning that I couldn’t resist slipping on my shoes and heading up into the hills. I always tend to lose track of time when I’m outside and if I’m really in the zone, hours and hours can fly by before I realize how late it’s gotten. Some days I go out and take a walk… other days I go out and the walk takes me! Anyway, here’s just a few of the friends I spent time with today:
I was photographing the sky when this little jewel came and perched on an olive branch right in front of me! After studying my various birding books, I think this is a female or immature Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae). It could also possibly be an immature Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna)… the differences between the two are subtle.
The temperatures were a little too cool most of the day for many of the native bees to be active. (The well-known, non-native Honey Bee seems to be more acclimated to such weather and they were out in good numbers.) So, it was a real treat to get to watch this bumble bee methodically visiting one California Poppy (Eschscholzia sp.) after another along the side of the trail I was walking. I should probably double-check myself with my friends on BugGuide, but I believe this is a California Bumble Bee (Bombus californicus).
** Be sure to click on the photos to see close-up crops of the hummer and bee! **
Amazing shots, as usual! The greens on the hummingbird are fantastic and the yellow behind the bee is simply stunning. So, did you find yourself humming The Bird & The Bee tunes to complement the wildlife that you encountered? 🙂 B
Hey, Ben! Yeah, those poppies are a riot of color! They really “pop” when you see them from a distance. You KNOW I was humming their tunes the whole time! I figured that title would make you smile. 🙂
Oh gosh Harsi the weather and the clouds make me want stay out forever! I love your shots and got some of a pretty hummingbird too. I love those furry bumblebees they look absolutely snugly! Enjoy, xo, Ro
Harsi – these photos are w*o*n*d*e*r*f*u*l* !! Clicking on them made them even more so :). Thank you.
~Lisa~ Thank you. I aim to please, sweet friend! There should be more loveliness in just a few minutes… I’m uploading today’s blog post now. 🙂
~Ro~ I know exactly how you feel! Someday, I think I’m going to pack a big picnic basket full of goodies and do just that — stay out ALL day long! Sure, I’ll be tired and sore… but what a lovely memory that would be. 🙂 P.S. Bumble bees do kinda’ make you want to pet them a little, don’t they?