Well, blogger has completely defeated me. After I had managed to log in with a new email and start a new blog, the next time I came back to look, my new blog was under my old email and I could only look, not enter - a few nasty words were said I am afraid. I have tried all sorts of things over the last week, but have now admitted defeat and gone back to my old blog. When I find some spare time I shall change the header for this one however.
You will need to double click on this seemingly uninspiring photo to see the cloud of native bees swarming. They are very small, about half the size of my little fingernail, and have no sting.
They are very hard to see here, but their nest is inside the gate post, there are several trying to push their way in through the crack in the mortar. They have lived in this post for about 15 years now - the white bricks are very black with mould as we cannot put any bleach etc on the post as we are afraid of hurting the bees. Obviously we can't harvest the honey (that would mean destroying the post), but we love having them there. They fertilise the garden as well as being a great source of interest for children. They swarm like this on warm days.
These are not wonderful photos, but my ruellia plant (sadly neglected) is flowering madly and I love it. I hadn't realised before this that the proper flowers are the creamy centres. This is the first year it has really flowered well, so perhaps that is why.
That's a lot of bees Robin - good job they have no sting or some people might want to be rid of them. We have bumble bees nesting in our compost bin at present but they will apparently leave in winter. You must neglect that unusual and lovely plant on a regular basis - it seems to be thriving.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid I always capitulate when anything to do with computers goes wrong - let it do its worst is what I say!
ReplyDeleteThose bees in the gate post are lovely, particularly as they don't sting.
What a nuisance for you but we will find you wherever you are! Quite exciting to see the bees swarming like that , especially as they are harmless. I agree with Heather, continue to neglect the ruellia, it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteRobin, I am too afraid to try to start a new blog. Too much drama and not enough time.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics as usual.
Robin, I am too afraid to try to start a new blog. Too much drama and not enough time.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics as usual.