The Birds and the Bees in My Own Backyard

Posted on June 6, 2023 by

17 Comments

After a busy week in Chicago, I’m having trouble getting my blogging mojo back.

It happens.

But even though I’m somewhat wordless in Seattle, I do have some birds and bees to share with you, starting with this handsome junco. I seem to have more of them in my yard this year than any other bird. Perhaps they are just more vocal.

I heard this handsome boy before I saw him in the tree above, singing his heart out.

The hummingbirds have been missing in action this spring, preferring real nectar from flowers and shrubs, or maybe nesting and tending to young. I finally caught a glimpse of this male Anna’s dropping by last night for a drink, perhaps on his way home from work.

And what can I say about the bees that I haven’t said before? That I’m so happy they visit my garden and go about their business oblivious to me watching nearby. That I love how they stuff themselves into blossoms, their little legs and feet held this way and that,

still marveling that their chunky bodies are held aloft by gossamer wings.

A miracle, don’t you think?

~ Susanne

Category: Birds, NatureTags: , , , , , , ,

17 Comments on “The Birds and the Bees in My Own Backyard”

  1. It is amazing that a bumblebee can fly, they aren’t really built for flight. The Junco is really pretty, do you have Northern Mockingbirds there? They are everywhere in Las Vegas! The just never shut up either and continue singing after dark. I saw one this morning while I was out for a shoot in Downtown Summerlin chasing bugs on the ground. He would run at the or fly and try to capture one, so cute! 🥰

    • Thanks for you comment. 🙂 I love watching birds of all shapes and sizes, along with the bees. I don’t think we have Mockingbirds here.

      • You are welcome, Susanne. I assumed you would since they are called Northern Mockingbirds. I guess the north part doesn’t get so far north. You can be anywhere here and recognise the bird’s call as it follows a pattern. ❤️

      • I looked them up online, and Washington, Oregon and the northernmost midwestern states didn’t show as their habitat. But they look similar to a bird we have here, called a ‘camp robber,’ a type of gray jay, known for their boldness of stealing food from campers. 🙂

      • Oh, thanks for the info! I’ve never heard of a Camp Robber.

  3. Hi Susanne,
    Birds and bees are some of my favorite things! It’s so wonderful to just sit and watch them come and go from feeders. I’m glad you had a hummingbird stop by! Maybe he’ll spread the word!
    Do you have a hive or bumblebee nest? When we lived in New Zealand, we got a bumblebee hive/nest delivered every spring which we absolutely loved. It’s amazing to watch them come and go and hear them all over the garden.
    ~ Christine

    • Thanks for your comment. 😊 I usually see hummingbirds daily but they’re been quiet lately. I’m thinking they prefer their natural sources of nectar right now or are busy with their young. I don’t have a beehive but get plenty of bees. They especially love the lavender. 💜💜

  4. I recently watched a documentary on Netflix called “My Garden of a Thousand Bees.’ I think you’d like it Susanne. Some amazing photography of bees in this person’s garden!

  6. You’re right, it does seem pretty amazing that those delicate wings can support those plump bumblebees in particular! Great shots of them enjoying your garden flowers 🙂

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