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

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Good surprises.

How lucky we've been here with all the blue skies this past week!  Outside yesterday afternoon I found a few happy surprises.

 The honeybees were busy going from flower to flower on the sarcococcas.  They didn't stay long on each flower, and I learned why after reading this post on The Gardens at Melissa Majora Honeybee Sanctuary blog.  It has to do with a natural insecticide in each flower that prevents just one pollinator from staying too long.  I was surprised at how many bees were out and how busy they were.  This picture was the best I could do, I deleted so many, that I finally gave up.
On the same shrubs I found this cute ladybug.
When I came back later she was trying to disguise herself as a berry.
There were even bumblebees buzzing around looking for a sunny spot.  I was able to get a picture of this one while it rested on the side of our house.  I'm so happy I learned how to use the macro setting on my camera.  I really enjoy seeing the details and how soft he looks, almost like you could pet him.  There was another one about the same size flying around, but it was mostly black.
This appears to be a heuchera courtesy of the birds.  I'll move it out of where it is since it's right under the flowering currant and won't have much room to grow.  It doesn't look like any of the varieties I have in my garden.  Any guesses on any id?
Nothing better than reaping the rewards of friends in the garden.  I've learned if I treat them well and have what they like they will come to visit and maybe even bring me a little surprise.
Pin It

25 comments:

  1. What out for those lady bugs, we get them here about every 2 or 3 years by the 10s of thousands in some places. They get in everywhere and in the spring you still find them. Thanks for the article.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It must be warming up there Catherine ~ I haven't seen any bees out yet in my garden. It's good you have something blooming for them and interesting about the natural insecticide in the sarcococcas. I hope it stays nice for you all weekend! We have blue skies today too and I'm so happy about it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I haven't seen any bees yet but have spotted a couple of lady bugs. Spring is on its way for sure. Just love when it bursts out in full bloom with beautiful bright colors and dreamy scents.
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like you had some wonderful surprises waiting for you. Don't you love to find "free" plants courtesy of the birds?

    ReplyDelete
  5. We have to do everything possible to preserve the Bees. I know over your side of the atlantic there has been 'colony collapse' just as here. Nobodys totally sure what causes it. One thing is for sure, without the bees there would be problems.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It looks like it is waking up in a grand way. I love the sign of a ladybug in my garden. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Catherine, I can hardly believe the warm weather we've been having! It makes me a little wonder if we're gonna get hit with some nasty weather soon- and the spring lasting forever. I worry that I'll have to pot up everything thing I've started over and over waiting for the warmer weather- like last year. Thanks to DH I'm prepared this year- with 4" and 6" pots, not many but I'll manage. Happy Gardening today!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Randy - The ladybugs never seem to be out of control here, luckily they eat lots of aphids for me. Every year we have a whole lot that must hatch on the eaves of our house, then they just move to the gardens.

    Kathleen - I was surprised to see them out, I didn't realize that they are active all winter as I've learned from Kris whose blog is the one I mentioned.

    Texasdaisey - That was about the second ladybug I've seen and I just know they are here to help us welcome spring :)

    Mildred - I do love the birds gifts! Especially ones that aren't always cheap at the nursery :)

    Rob - I've read about the colony collapse. It is pretty scary to think about, they are so important!

    Heather - Ladybugs alway make me happy!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tessa - It is strange isn't it, but in a good way. It could be another "faux spring", but at least you are prepared this year. I think I'll wait a little longer too before I trust the spring weather is here to stay!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your macros are great. One of these days I'll get a camera and surely figure it out:) That stray heuchera looks a bit like a strawberry begonia. Can't help you with its identification.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well, a visit by bees is a good sign and means that your garden is healthy. You definitely deserve a pat. What could be more pleasing than a bee visiting your garden. Ladybug does look like a berry, but only she chose the wrong color. LOL! May be she thought people would think the fruit has ripened to red?

    ReplyDelete
  12. How envious I am! It will be another month at the rate we're going here in the Great White North. Looking out the window we are having another day of snow squalls! Angst be damned! I'm starting my seeds this afternoon! If I can't have green outside, I'll bring it inside.
    I too am concerned with the collapse of so many bee hives. We need bees, like a garden needs sunshine! Lovely to see some people ableto relish in the surprises of Spring!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cute little berry-bug! And great shot of the bee. I've gotta work on my macro skills before spring gets here. Alas, we got several inches of snow last night... Hope you find an identity for your mystery plant. Sorry I have no guesses.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Bees aready? wow! I'm zone 8 and haven't seen any yet. But the weather is warming so once the nights stop frosting perhaps they'll be out. I definately need to get a new camera, I love the detail in your photo!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bees and ladybugs already. Lucky you! That's a great close-up of the bee. Yes, his fuzzy cuteness does make me want to reach out and touch him :)
    We've had 3 days of snow and cold, but the sun is shining brightly today, and that's such a welcome change!
    Our little nuthatch comes every day. Occasionally I see a pair. They're so cute the way they navigate trees and feeders upside down :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Tina - The camera I'm using is an old digital and I recently discovered I had other settings besides auto :) I'll look up strawberry begonia, I don't know if I remember what the leaves look like on that one.

    Chandramouli - Yes, bees in the garden are a good sign. They must like what I have. That little ladybug better watch out that the birds don't think she's a berry :)

    Teza - I feel guilty about complaining when I hear so many people are still getting snow. I'm glad you're starting your seeds, it is fun to see something grow at least indoors for now.

    Donna - I've practiced the macro on my plants inside, and I'm still mastering it. It's fun to see the details that you don't normally notice. I hope your snow doesn't last long and you start to see signs of spring soon!

    Shannon - I was surprised to see the bees too. These shrubs were getting nice warm sun and maybe the bees needed to warm up. We've still been getting frost here, but I guess our last frost date isn't until the beginning of April.

    Kerri - The snow looks pretty with sun shining on it. You have so many colorful birds that would help distract me while waiting for spring.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Catherine, what a great macro bee shot. He looks a little different than the ones seen here. We saw the first one today of the year, it was 60 degrees. But will drop into the 20s tonight and stay cold for several days. Where do the bees go when it is cold? I always worry about them. Your heuchera is great. The babies rarely are true to the fancy parents, they revert to the species, which is fine by me. That means the seeds of the baby will germinate easily and you will have many more in the area. Always a good surprise. :-)
    Frances

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've never had heucheras reseed that I can recall. Maybe it's too cold here for that. I like your bee and lady bug pics. It's too early here to see them yet. I hope the next few weeks go by quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy Spring in your area! I agree, the little critters are appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Frances - I'm glad that bee sat still for so long, otherwise he'd be a blur like the others. I didn't know heuchera reverted, I'll be glad to have them either way :)

    Sue - I hope you next few weeks go by quickly by quickly for you too! I hope everyones winter will just wrap up and let the sun come and warm us all up!

    Anna - Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's so great to see the bees. And I'm seeing new birds! Now if they'd just sit still. My sarcoccoa has no berries yet but it's flowers ... way back under the rhodie. Where is yours? I'm wondering if I should bring mine out a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Melanthia - Those birds just won't pose will they? I've been taking pictures all week and am going to post some tomorrow. They look so tiny in the pictures :) The other trick for me is getting a good camera.
    The sarcococca berries are hanging on from the summer I think, I've got flowers and berries now. MIne get a decent amount of sun, and they seem to like it. I have a row of them next to my deck and under a pine tree that was limbed up a couple of years ago. I actually saw a hummingbird at one this week.

    ReplyDelete
  23. How cute is that bumblebee picture? I can't wait for the days that they return to buzzing around here!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What state are you in? I actually saw a butterfly last week, a Swallowtail, couldn't get the camera fast enough. Nice surprises in your garden.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kylee - I thought the bee was cute too, so fuzzy looking :)

    Darla - How lucky to already see butterflies! The swallowtails are one of the types we get here, but probably not for awhile still. We are in Washington state.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. I try my very best to answer any questions you may have, but usually don't have time to respond to each comment. Please leave a link to your blog so I can visit you in return.