Not many but still the first I have seen this year. About 4 big black bumblebees working over the Rose of Sharon, several salvias and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia). Then 2 small bumblebees on a blooming white Datura. How precious these little things are that were once so plentiful as to be a nuisance. So nice to hear that buzzing sound again. Where have they been since spring I wonder.
Finally some bees!
I think a lot of them have been at our place. We have every kind of Bee imaginable.....and LOTS of them!
Here's a Bumble Bee who posed for me while having his breakfast on one of our green Zinnias.
I've seen a few bees but not many so far. And I'm still waiting on the butterflies. I did see one over the weekend on my zinnia.
I have had bumble bees since the spring and have been really worried because of the lack of honeybees. Thankfully, they have shown up this past week. Butterflies are few and far between.
Well Morganc I am so glad there are a lot of bees somewhere! I wish I knew of some more plants they are really attracted to here. Just planted a bunch of zinnas so hopefully that will help. If anyone has suggestion I would appreciate it.
Seen maybe 3 butterflies this summer and have a beautiful stand of butterfly weed that I thought would be devoured by now -only 2 lone caterpillars when they first bloomed was all.
Recently near me, so much wild land was cleared that supported lots and lots of wildlife Acres and acres wiped clean without a thought to the wildlife that was protected there. And when I see the wild things run over (victim of the new concrete jungle mall) I think I can't fight the conglomerate that replaces country with concrete and took away their home...BUT I can help in my own small way by recreating what was taken away. So I plant to attract the birds, bees, butterflies, frogs, lizards- and all the little creatures. :)
We haven't gotten many bees here and the butterflies have been a little bit scarce also...but evidently not as scarce as your area. So happy to hear you are trying to encourage wildlife, rosysunset! Just remember practicing organic gardening and avoiding any Bt products will help keep the wildlife healthy! We've been blessed with rain lately! After reaching the most extreme drought level, that's a miracle!
This message was edited Jul 8, 2008 5:02 AM
Yea!!!!! I saw two little bitty butterflies this morning. Maybe they are at last going to show up. I see a few bumble bees and have seen a few honey bees too.
I planted a lot more herbs this year for the butterflies and not a single caterpillar on any of them.
Roseysunset you are my neighbor! I know exactly the concrete jungle you are describing. I travel to Bryan pretty often to see doctors over there. I live in Midway which is just a little east of Madisonville.
Lin
Rosey is it dry over there? We are about to burn up over here. No rain in a long while now.
Lin
I have to believe the bees, butterflies, frogs, lizards, hummingbirds, etc. that we have an abundance of here, have got to have an abundance of out of town relatives!! And those relatives just have to live somewhere.....so why not where you are.
We have only had a landscaped backyard for 3 years.......and while we keep adding plants to it.....the critters keep expanding to keep up with it all. I literally have bees bump into me as I'm puttering in the yard, especially around the blooming sage.
Rosey--Zinnias are such "happy" looking flowers in my book.....and all the "wildlife" love them! I'm sure you will attract some of those relatives soon!
Rosy, glad they finally showed up.
My cantaloupe patch is buzzing with honeybees! They seemed late coming this year, and I was getting worried, but they showed up. We are fortunate to have a beekeeper close by.
My yellow lantana hedge has lots of butterflies too. I try not to use poisons, as we have so many beneficial critters. I had to resort to a careful use of fireant bait, as they were killing the toads and lizards, and even went into trees and killed baby birds in the nest. I finally have them under control without harming our big red ant den.
Linda TX8 Yes, I am an organic girl - absolutely no chemicals allowed. The backyard hums alive at night with all the little critters that thrive b/c there is no xxx poison on this acre - it's a safe haven.
Hello nieghbor Lin! Yes we were in a drought situation UNTIL Tuesday, when we got a nice hard rain, a little over an inch, how wonderful that has been. The yard actually feels spongy when you walk on it, not hard as rock. Keeping fingers crossed for more.
Folks, it is so very good to hear those reports of healthy bee populations. It gives me hope to know that all is as it should be in places. I worry as I know you all do about the health of this great planet.
I have seen yet a few more bees round the daturas Haven't seen any near the lantanas though. I plan on planting fruit trees this winter, the Hagen Dais ice cream site said their spring flowers really attract bees.
I do have a lot of dragonflies this year, that has been really nice. Not sure whether lack of rain brought them or what, but they are beautiful with their wings glistening in the sun.
You know the one thing nice about the drought was no fire ants. When they reappear I plan to used a product I read about here that is organic. I have been mulching with compost and layers of horse manure, and burying my coffee grounds and egg shells in between. Now wont that be awful if the fire ants get into that thick mulch!
Rosey, you are awesome. Keep up the good work and attitude. You make the world a better place.
Vitex is a good draw for bees for the short time they're blooming. They'll at least draw bees to your property, who'll then move on to later blooming vegs/plants.
We've had lots of honeybees and other types of bees for quite some time now. We've not had a lot of butterflies this year, though. I'm hoping to plant more butterfly-friendly plants, so maybe that will bring 'em on!
Thank you antiquedrose, I think all us gardeners make the world a better place. I have a Vitex that bloomed heavily in the spring, but no bees, just some wasps. I have even learned to love the few wasps we have, which just made me realize there are no mud dobbers or garden spiders this season either. Hmm, now thats strange. But we watched 2 frogs last night make their way towards the big,damp elephant ears and we have those little tree frogs. I have to believe the bees will come.
I planted 4 candlestick trees that are growing like weeds, they are supposed to attract butterflies, but that will be in the fall I think.
Well I know the bees are still with us in Texas, and thats so nice to know.
I'm seeing a few more honey bees and more butterflies seem to be showing up in the gardens. I'm so thrilled. I have lots of lovely blooms they all like so maybe more is on the way. I have lots of dragonflies and I do love to watch them.
Rosey I'm glad you got a nice rain. None for us yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though. I'm sure your plants are all smiling since they got some nice rain drops.
Lin
This message was edited Jul 12, 2008 6:12 PM
Lin, the rain was wonderful! I was at a resturant when it came, has a window facing the street. Everyone in there just stared out at that rain in wonder..thats how long it had been.
Our local water is hard on these plants and they were beginning to show it, but that natural rain flushed all those salts out and the plants really perked up! And I finally found the dill and tomatillo seeds I had bought just for the bees, been casting around for them for 2 weeks! So hoping this July planting will them will bring in some scents they can't resist in a couple months.
So glad you are enjoying yours. Send some of those butterflies my way will you? :)
This is a picture of my sister's new yard in the making. As you can see, her tiny area of grass isn't even in yet......and the word "lush" would never enter your mind when viewing this yard. This picture was taken on Friday......and Saturday she called all excited because after ONE day she had already seen butterflies, a hummingbird, and a BEE.
This location is in the high desert near Reno, Nevada and certainly not a forest land......but there are bees there!
I remember one trip we took with my daughter and husband through the desert. This was back in 70's. It was either in Nevada or Utah where we camped in a park. In the morning we headed for the restrooms and showers. Well, there were bees all right! In the water faucets and all over the shower heads. My daughter to this day has a fear of bees because she turned the shower on and then ran out screaming because of the bees. So the desert does have bees!
Yes, I agree.....Bees ARE everywhere!
When the flower blooms............the bees come uninvited.
Unfortunately in Houston the only place I've seen the huge bumblebees this year was in burrowing holes into the wooden playground eqmt at the park. And given their location the HOA called in the pest control guys.
Saw hummers from upstairs window, ran out to get pic, dogs got alerted and scared off birds. But got pics of the bees. Here's one.
Good job..............nice flowers too!