— Is this bee taking a nap or is it totally inebriated with pollen?
The third week of June celebrates Pollinator Week. It is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them.
“Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall all be saved.”
— Jane Goodall
Pollinators are animals that help plants reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another. They are essential for our food system, as they help pollinate many of the crops that we eat. However, pollinator populations are declining due to a variety of factors, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.
Pollinator Week is a time to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators and to take action to protect them. By getting involved, you can help ensure that these important creatures continue to thrive.
Throughout the years, I have photographed bees in my backyard, in local parks, and wherever I go. You can see all those posts here.
Allow me to share some of my more recent bee photos. Here they are enjoying Bluebonnets, the Texas official state flower. Clicking each image will give you a macro view of each photo. I specifically call your attention to the pollen sacs or pollen baskets in the first and last photo in this Bluebonnet series.
Bees are the most important pollinators of flowering plants. There are over 20,000 species of bees, and they pollinate a wide variety of crops, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts. After bees, the other top pollinators are butterflies, moths, wasps, and beetles.
In these preceding photos, what do you think about the bee approaching the salvia flowers? In the last of these photos, it seems the bee suddenly stopped and is frozen looking at the camera. It is moments like that when I feel rewarded for chasing these little creatures around.
We can all do our part to help protect pollinators. Here are some simple things you can do:
- Plant a pollinator garden. Your local nursery can assist you in picking the right plants for your area.
- Avoid using pesticides in your garden.
- Plant native plants that attract pollinators. You will be surprised by how easily native plants grow.
In closing, I will leave you with a “giant” bee. They say everything is bigger in Texas. Well, actually, this is not a giant bee. This bee was on pyramid bush flowers. Although this bush can grow up to 2 ft (0.6 m), its blooms are only one inch (2.5 cm) in size. That and the angle of my photo helped give the illusion of a “giant” bee.
This post is in response to Denzil Nature’s challenge.
Pepper
Lovely flower and bee images. I especially enjoyed the bee in midair. ?
Egídio Leitão
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your feedback.
Amy
Beautiful! I clicked the like, it brought me here. :)Thank you Egidio!
Egídio Leitão
You are very welcome, Amy.
philosophy through photography
Lovely!
I never knew about Pollinator Week.
Starts from when?
Egídio Leitão
It’s the 3rd week in June. This year it’s from June 19-25.
philosophy through photography
Thank you my friend, for this information.
Namaste.
Denzil
Super shots Egidio, may I use one please in my roundup of the challenge? I will credit and link to you of course.
Egídio Leitão
Of course, Denzil. It’ll be my honor.
Denzil
Thank you!
nesfelicio
Wonderful shots of these pollinators!
The shots of the bees in mid-air are excellent, more difficult to nail than they look.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, about the flying bees.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Gorgeous images of bees and flowers, Igidio, and nice to meet you (visiting from Denzil’s post)! Your bluebonnets look so much like our alpine lupine.
Egídio Leitão
Terri, thanks for your comments and compliment. Bluebonnets are lupines. That is why they look like alpine lupine. The scientific name for Bluebonnets is Lupinus texensis.
Terri Webster Schrandt
How cool, they are so pretty. My family comes from East Texas. Nice to learn more about the lupine family, thanks ?
margaret21
I’d not heard of pollinator week. A great initiative! You’re more than doing your bit.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Margaret. It’s good that things like Pollinator Week exists, I agree.