Sunday, July 11, 2010

Lazy summer days

Pollination, you're doin' it right!

This bee was found a few days ago busily pollinating this Black-eyed Susan. Look how covered in pollen it is!
Speaking of busy, I'm glad someone is busy around here. Me, I've been sitting on my duff reading books and paddling around a lake, exerting very little effort to do much else. Isn't vacation grand?!  I haven't even had my camera out very much.

As you can see in the background behind this Ox-eye Daisy, the dock leads your eye to the beautiful clear water...



Dragonflies and damselflies are plentiful here, and big Dragon Hunters fly over the lake in search of easy prey. When they get tired, they like to land on the knee of an unsuspecting kayak paddler and take a little rest.

Unidentified (I didn't bring my field guide) damselfly resting on the dock. Beautiful.


I HOPE to get back on a regular blogging schedule soon. I hope you all are having a wonderful summer!

13 comments:

KaHolly said...

Heather, it's nice to learn that you are having a relaxing, restorative vacation. That bee looks so laden with pollen, I'm surprised it can still fly!! In my opinion, all damselflies are beautiful, and the one photographed here is certainly no exception. I haven't had much opportunity to get out in the field or paddling, but am hoping tomorrow's weather will permit an outing despite the fact that rain is in the forecast. Keep on doing what your doing, as you are doing it well!! ~karen

Shelley said...

Phenomenal shot of that pollen covered bee! Glad you're enjoying your vacation...time goes by too fast!

Steve Willson said...

Glad to see you're so successful at vacationing. I'm not a good vacationer. I took a vacation in 1997 and all I could think about was getting back home.

This summer seems to me to be proceeding at supersonic speeds. Unless this is May, in which case things seem about right.

Ginnymo said...

Wow! What a neat photo of that bee!!!

Joy K. said...

I love the pollen-covered bee. It reminds me of watching some 2-year-old eating spaghetti.

Heather said...

Karen - Come to think of it, I didn't actually see that bee fly... just watched him walking around on the flower. I do wonder how much that pollen weighs them down, though! Hope you had a chance to get outside!

Shelley - Thanks, vacation was grand. One day we were walking around Petoskey and saw a fellow walking a dog that could have been Scout's brother or sister!

Steve - We're home-bodies, too, but sometimes you just have to get out there and see what other beautiful places exist! Sorry the summer's flying by too quickly... I can't believe we're zooming toward August myself.

Ginny - I was really excited to see that bee in action, and even more excited to get a picture of it.

Joy - Ha, I like your analogy!

Gabrielle said...

I'm so glad you are relaxing and enjoying doing nothing. It is such a treat just to be able to read a book for extended periods of time. Squeeze every minute of nothing out of your vacation!

The bee covered in pollen photo is amazing.

Thanks for stopping over at my blog and leaving a comment.

Monika said...

Paddling around a lake and readings books sounds just grand! Enjoy your relaxation and leave the working to the bees. I love the colors in the background of that ox-eye daisy shot - beautiful!

Kelly said...

...Matty and I are back home. We loved Shawnee (but worked hard!)... I hope to get back to a regular posting schedule too!! Glad you were able to relax and read...and paddle...and recharge!

Heather said...

Gabrielle - Vacation has come and gone, but it was delightful. The nothing was everything.

Monika - Thanks. This is the first vacation in a while where I've taken it this easy! ;)

Kelly - I hope your time at Shawnee was as relaxing as our time in Michigan. Sounds like you two had such a wonderful time!

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Beautiful Ox-eye Looks like a "framer" to me.

Rune said...

Nice shots! I find your blog very interresting. Best regards :-)

Heather said...

Beyond the Garden - Thanks for the nice comment.

Rune - Thank you very much for stopping by, I appreciate the visit.