"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Naptime.

I got outside early yesterday morning to see what was happening in the front garden.  What I quickly noticed was that there were many, many Bumblebees either passed out on the flowers or slowly buzzing around them.  On one small part of a  plant there were 4 that looked sprawled out, like they'd been up late partying the night before.  Is it possible to get drunk on pollen?  If so I think they were sleeping it off then.

 Curled up on the Coneflower.

 Sleeping it off on a Black-eyed Susan.  What is it about this flower that makes me think of chocolate?  I asked my husband if it made him think of anything, thinking that that chocolate brown center gave everyone the same idea, but he said no, didn't remind him of anything.

 Coneflowers seemed to be a popular place to nap.

 Two Bumblebees napping in the Fleabane.

 The bee on the Liatris is hidden in the upper middle of the Liatris.  This is by far the most popular flower with the bees now.  During the heat of the day it is covered in bees.

This poor guy didn't even make it to a flower, he just landed on the Phlox leaf and stretched out there.

A few hours later the bees had all woken up and moved on, but it really made me smile to see so many napping in the garden after a busy day of pollinating.
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34 comments:

  1. How cool that is! I didn't realize that bees needed to stop and rest every now and then.

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  2. I've noticed an unusual amount of bees in my garden this year. Not sure they are napping, I may have to check this out! Looks like your garden is a cozy home for bees. Cute!

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  3. Dear Catherine, How very reassuring that bees find your garden attractive since over the past few years I have felt that they are in declining numbers in general and have certainly found this to be the case in my own garden. Your photographs capture perfectly those lazy hazy days of summer!!

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  4. Well, if I was a bee, I would think your garden would be a lovely place for a nap. The bee in your last photo is making me sleepy...ZzzzZZzz...

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  5. Catherine, I wish my bees would take a nap and leave me alone. Great pictures!

    Eileen

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  6. Morning nap time is when I like to stroke the little dears.

    I think that they're out partying late and just get caught. They can function below about 55 degrees, unlike honeybees. But let's face it, honeybees don't wear fur coats.

    Love,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  7. I thought you were talking about my naptime-it's about that time too! It's the only way I can ignore the heat and get some energy. Probably what the bees are doing too. Too cute. Coneflowers look great!

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  8. The liatris is spectacular and I like the bee on the coneflower photo. The bee napping is ever so cute.

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  9. Like Sharon (above) I used to like to touch the bees first thing in the morning while they were still "asleep." That Liatris is such a pretty color.

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  10. Like some of the others, I'm getting drowsy just READING about the napping bees! Bee-tiful pictures :)
    I confess I've not been outside much lately. Just too hot and muggy.

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  11. It is hard pollinating the garden, and your garden has a lot of beautiful flowers. They had to stop a rest before moving on. heehee. Wonderful garden.

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  12. That is so funny - sleepy zzz's all over the garden! I think the bees know not to sleep in our garden with all my little kiddos around, it wouldn't be safe (maybe your littlest is calmer than mine?). Fun pictures.

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  13. The one on the leaf is the cutest.
    I had no idea they would nap on the plants. I figured they would tuck themselves into a nest at night to rest after being "busy as a bee." I guess being "busy as a bee" makes you dog tired!

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  14. I've never seen a little bee having a nap time before Catherine - they're so cute - no wonder they need a rest as they probably are in nectar overload after visiting your wonderful pollen laden garden. :) Rosie

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  15. Well that must make you feel good. I've never seen them do that. Sleeping on the job. What's in those flowers your growing?

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  16. Lovely photos of the coneflower. I have some but mine are not quite in bloom up here on my hill in Wales. I wonder what sort of conditions the liatris likes? It is a stunning colour, might have to research it!

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  17. This is soooo cool! I've never seen them 'rest/nap' before. Gonna check my plants out ... awesome photos.
    Have a great day!
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  18. Cool shots. I am really glad the bees are back as they were pretty slim for a while. My pear tree actually has hundreds of pears on it this year as they really were at work.

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  19. How i love sleepy bees....what a beautifiul post..and gorgeous photos..i always find them sleeping on my blue globe echinops...it is so cute..!
    Kiki~

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  20. They are SO CUTE!! I had no idea bees napped like this! Wonderful pictures. :)

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  21. Catherine, I love seeing our garden again and your lovely photos! Those bubble bees probably can never rest in their hive... I do often wonder if they are a bit tipsy too. ;>)

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  22. That's really neat! I never thought about bees needing to sleep or rest before now. I hope they enjoyed their nap.

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  23. Odd... I found two dragonflies this morning in the same type of condition. I was blaming it on the fact that it was quite cool out last night and perhaps they went into early hibernation mode. :)

    Have a lovely evening Catherine!
    xo Catherine

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  24. I too have seen bees being drunk on the nectar or pollen and sleeping it off!

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  25. We should take a hint and take more naps like the bees. I actualy got stung by a bumblebee the other night. My first time ever. I was taking pictures...and zap!

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  26. You have some sweet photos of the bees napping Catherine. The way they work, I would think they'd need a lot of naps.

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  27. Oh, I could use almost any reason to take a little nap in the middle of the day ;-)

    Your pictures are just gorgeous by the way.

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  28. Our bees here are jealous. It's been raining a solid week and who knows where and how they are toughing it out.

    Christine in Alaska

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  29. I do believe that over indulge and have to sleep it off. Love to see the bumbles!

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  30. Now that's something I've never seen - didn't know that bees napped, but then they must have to do something after using up all that energy buzzing around.

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  31. I've always been told that bumble bees work until they are exhausted, sleep during the coldest part of the night and then go back to work. Work is all they ever do.

    Marnie

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  32. WoW! Maybe that's what was happening with a bee I saw on a flower not too long ago who looked dead. They do love the Liatris don't they? I remember getting pictures last year and they were so many on mine I couldn't believe it. Now that you showed such a close up of the Black Eyed Susan I have to agree - looks like chocolate.

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  33. Isn't it funny the way they go to sleep on the flowers? I don't think I've seen one stretched out like that though, so cute!

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  34. Your garden is so beautiful and the photography is outstanding! Love it. :-)

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