A smile on a cloudy day?

On March 6, 2020 By afrenchgardenIn Bees6 Comments

This originates from Instagram (@irrev_gardener) – I do not have an account myself but I hope The Irreverent Gardener will not mind me sharing this.

⚠️Bad Poetry Alert⚠️

Found this little bumblebee today.

I am not responsible for the poem that follows. (Ok, I am.)

‘Save the bees’ 🐝

I hatched out a little too early I didn’t know where to hide,

Then I met a slightly odd lady Who invited me inside. 🐝

She offered me some nectar Presented me with a flower

And then some sugar water To give my buzzy bits power. 🐝

She really seemed to like me ‘We all must save the bees!’

I nodded my agreement As she brought out meats and cheese. 🐝

Then she passed around canapes And offered me some wine

She slipped on a formal evening dress And invited me to dine. 🐝

She laid out some jam sandwiches And a chunky honey comb

As she tucked in my tiny napkin I felt the urge to go home. 🐝

She beamed as I nibbled some food Her eyes were slightly manic

When she offered me a bed for the night I really started to panic. 🐝

It’s really nice that people care But she was taking it too far

I sidled towards the window As she whipped out a tiny jar. 🐝

Inside the jar was a tiny bed A bathtub, and a chair

I flew out of the window quick As she lunged into the air. 🐝

I had a narrow escape my friends My freedom was nearly lost

What makes it worse is the simple fact That I’m actually a wasp. 🐝

I so love this poem! I suppose I felt a twinge of affinity for the mad bee lady as do rescue tired bumble bees form time to time.

I wonder if it would be possible to convince The Irreverent Gardener to start a blog? I can’t imagine that he is really appreciated on Instagram.

This is my bee rescue dating way back to May 2012 https://afrenchgarden.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/bumble-bee-rescue/

Wet bee

On June 12, 2012June 12, 2012 By afrenchgardenIn Bumble bees7 Comments

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

I have people coming for lunch. I just nip out between thunder storms to cut some flowers.

What could I do if he was clinging on to the flowers half-drowned?

He’s O.K. now! Flew off replete.

Walk with me in the woods

On April 14, 2012 By afrenchgardenIn flowers, insects, Nature, photographs, wild flowers, Wildlife4 Comments

Yesterday was cooler and cloudy in the morning but still inviting enough for a walk in the nearby woods. As a bonus the clouds parted in the afternoon and the sun was warm. There is always more activity along the way if it is sunny and the photographs seem more full of life.

We saw plenty of life.

The wild flowers are in abundance now. The wild violets are still going strong but must surely be finishing soon.

New flowers are coming up every day and line the roadside.

Not even the dandelions can leave you untouched as they are the centre of attraction for bees and chafers.

The fresh green of new plants and flowers is covering the still open floor of the woods.

Inside the woods the flowers bloom in the sunny clearings that have not yet been shadowed by the trees which are only starting to open their leaves.

Th wild anemones take advantage of their days in the sunshine before the trees cover them with shade. But today I notice a special patch with colours I have never seen before. The wild anemones are usually completely white single flowers but this patch has delicately shaded flowers of pale violet, blue, pink and even some double flowers.

Every walk reveals a new discovery.

The butterflies cross our path.

The bumble bees are delirious with the abundance of Pulmonaria to provide them with nectar.

Sometimes the butterflies take a break on the ground.

I even caught this bumble dozing in the sun on a dry leaf.

So many of the plants are new to me.

This is White-asphodel, Asphodelus-albus.

It is such a majestic plant I find it hard to imagine it growing wild, I am more used to finding daisies and buttercups. I would love to learn more about the wild flowers in my area.

Some are instantly recognisable like this wild strawberry but others are not.

Each walk brings a new discovery something we have never seen before, like these two bees mating in the Asphodel. Taking time to watch and discover. There is so much to discover.

The garden from far and near

On March 29, 2012 By afrenchgardenIn flowers, Garden, Nature, photographsLeave a comment

The weather continues to be warm and has completely seduced us into believing that summer has arrived. It hasn’t arrived but I am seduced. I cannot help wandering around the garden completely distracted by each new happening. A serious gardener would get a grip on herself and spend more time on the important tasks of weeding and sowing.

Instead I am enjoying.