A bee on the edge of one of George's flowers....These flowers are only open for a very short space of time...How do the bees know that now is the time? We are talking about less than 24 hours...! How do they know?Here comes one of them now.....
They just zero in on these flowers like they are coming in using the flower-is-open-and-ready radar...I guess in a way, they are! It's the "bee" radar....So...this next guy is up on this flower that is completely closed up...but that does not deter him....
And he was determined to get in there....He stayed up there working on this flower for quite a long time....
He moved every which way he could, trying to get into this pollen filled flower....Backwards, Forwards and Sideways, too.....
Eventually, he moved off that closed-up flower over to the one of the ones that was wide wide open.....
Finally....Nirvana...! He did whatever it is bees do for a bit...taking in, sniffing around, drinking in, everything....!
LOL! It's like he was drunk, wasn't it? But he was just beginning...Because he knew something I did not. Someone else was deep inside that flower....So, down he goes....
Ahhhhh, now, here they both are...I swear, I think they are "doing it" down there....Is that part of what happens in the pollenization process? I am really dumb about this and frankly it is kind of fun, making up what I think they are doing....
Who knew there was another bee down there....? He did!Now, taking a bit of a breather....showing his wings....
His mate...down in the deepest deep of the flower while he rests for a moment or two....Then.....Once again....the mating dance(?) begins again.....
And so dear reader, we leave these two sweet bees, as they continue their whole purpose in life, as has been going on since the beginning of time, and before......On another note: 39 years ago today, Robert F. Kennedy died from a gunshot wound inflicted by an assassin in the early morning hours of June 5th in the kitchen of The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, right after he had won the California primary.
One can't help but wonder in these horrific and depressingly peculiar times that we live in, how different our country might be today, had RFK not been Assassinated. One wonders.
And one feels quite hopeless.....More To Come......
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Our country is definitly not what it used to be.
So many violent acts against society; it saddens me.
That is why I strive, harder than I ever thought I would, to install good moral character into my girls. I want them to grow up knowing the difference between right and wrong, and live their lives in such a way that they have positive influence on those around them.
Kendra- Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 1:47:00 PM PDT
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Don't feel hopeless! There's too many of us already! We need more optimistic idealists! Great pix btw.
- Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 3:32:00 PM PDT
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I love the bees on those very unique blooms. Never seen a Bee on a cactus blossom before really (until your blog).
I wonder about how different today would be if he hadn't been shot, as well.
~S- Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 3:38:00 PM PDT
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Hi N,
you do know i so do like all your's fabulous posts. You tell stories and reflects memories nobody but you can do.
You may have remarked, I'm not very familiar with early TV (for me in Norway that means in the 50-60 and early 70ies)' cause at that time we had a state monopoly - both radio and TV here. One Radio station - and from 1960 one TV station. Can you believe it?
What so ever, you have given me so much rich history, from your life - and old friends - therefore I have dedicated 3 pictures - taken the last days at our tiny summer home.
That is a living sculpture, a flower and our view - all from here. It is posted on my blog "2; only known for friends.
http://toraamusic.blogspot.com/
PS. I'm gonna buy me a cam do to really quality photos.- Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 3:48:00 PM PDT
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I totally laughed when you said are they "doing it" in there. Hehehehe. That was really funny.
*clears throat*
So, yeah, one can get depressed easily over the current happenings in our country, but I've learned to corral my thoughts to much happier, simpler ones. Like bees doing it, for example.- Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 4:23:00 PM PDT
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Magnificent photos.
Okay, just a quick lesson in bees. Only female bees go to the flowers. Female bees do all the work around the hive. All of it.
The male bees are lazy and don't do anything but hang out at the hive. The queen bee is the queen (the only one in the hive) because one night all the horny male bees (drones) had a wild weekend with her.
Male bees do not have stingers, but they can get mad at you and chase you around.
Magnificent photos, indeed.- Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 5:56:00 PM PDT
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I am seriously cracking up over you and your "birds and bees" lesson. Bee sex?? Oh my. You are so cute.
- Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 9:34:00 PM PDT
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The cactus flowers are so exquisitely delicate-looking, Naomi. So beautiful!
- Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 10:02:00 PM PDT
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Animals are so amazing. We can learn so much from them if we pay attention. Those pictures are fantastic, Naomi. I can't believe you captured so many great shots.
The Kennedys...yeah, I think our country would be very different now. I remember exactly where I was when I was told JFK was killed & I was just 5. They said on the news the other day that JFK would've turned 90. Can you imagine that? He'll be eternally young.
Looking at the picture, it seems surreal.- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 12:56:00 AM PDT
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I love your bee photo's! Such wonderful detail and together they beautifully depict the comings and goings of the bees. Your close up pics are always so wonderful - definitely the artists eye at work!
- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 4:08:00 AM PDT
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Glad to read the sex ed lesson on bees, as I knew about those drones, the egocentric Queen Bee, her challenges to be chosen for supremacy, and the labours of the long suffering female honey gatherers. Sounds like the plot for a musical. Well, they did one called "Cats," didn't they?
Just think of all the beautiful flowers that could be on stage. They could hire Kenju to design the flower arrangements for the set.
How 'bout it, Naomi, do you want to do the music? Maybe direct, too? What about a producer?
Do we want unknowns or name stars for the key roles? Then, all we need is an angel, musicians, rehearsal hall, and stage. I'm sure the audience will fly in.
A very prominent scientist, Walter Rothenbuhler, did important work studying the genetics of bees and was concerned about bee welfare. He would be very happy that people have started caring about bees, trying to protect them. Unfortunately, he died some years ago when he developed Parkinson's Disease at a much too young age,and finally had to give up his reasearch. His work is and was recognized around the world.- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 4:33:00 AM PDT
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Superb close up, Naomi! You are just an expert!
I remember exactly this tragic photo of Bob Kennedy! Sad, very sad!- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 6:29:00 AM PDT
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George sure enjoys accomodating all those bee's doesn't he?! lol
I wonder if you have a hive nearby?? I think they should share their honey with you after all that George does!- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 6:38:00 AM PDT
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Well, even if they're all "she-bees" they might still have a pajama party in that cactus flower!
It was tragic that we lost the Kennedys, but even if they had gone on to lead our country, we would be faced with badnesses--different ones, perhaps-- which result when men/women fail to respect one another. JFK and RFK would do their best to inspire, but there would always be the few who see virtue as weakness.
In every party--Republican and Democrat, Libertarian and (ugh!) fascist--the evil that makes civilization not work--lurks in the hearts of some. We often don't see this until it is too late.
Bad things happen when good people say and do nothing. Each of us has the chance to make a difference. You do. You make the blogworld think.- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 6:55:00 AM PDT
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What Paul says - does that mean that your two bees are lesbians. Just asking:)
BTW I love seeing what time it is with you with your smart clock so imagine this is breakfast time whereas here it's time for tea.- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 8:28:00 AM PDT
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Naomi, as I started to read this and look at the beautiful photos, I thought, "this should be a children's book!" Then you got a little racy and I thought, "hmm. Maybe she needs to make up another ending to her story." lol
I feel such a pang for what the world could have been when I think of the untimely deaths of Bobby Kennedy and so many others. Then I think of what Ghandi said, about being the change we wish to see in the world. And it's not about depending on the leaders to inspire us. It's about finding that inspiration within and living our lives that way every moment.- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 9:08:00 AM PDT
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Good old George - handing out the nectar so the busy bees can make their delicious honey...
I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately. I have been visiting most days - and Bobkat always tells me what's going on in the Hills......
I'm at home all weekend! So I'll hopefully get some Michele time in, and some serious blog-hopping....
cq- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 1:24:00 PM PDT
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Someone already beat me to it - but anyway... not to spoil to romance of bees at all... but all worker bees are female (and closely related to each other). You'll hardly ever see a male honey bee - they're only around for a short time to mate with the Queen. Most of the time bee hives are completely female enterprises. Probably the reason they manage to get so much done!
Great pictures - as I've come to expect from you Naomi. Keep up the *excellent* work.- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 3:25:00 PM PDT
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That was totally amazing about the bees, lady ! What exqusite pictures, and quite a story you made up to go along with it ! I never thought of bees as 'making love' before, but.... maybe that's what honey is - the after effects of their coming together !
Hard to imagine it was 39 years ago... It seems like yesterday... I do wonder what life would be life if JFK and Bobby had both lived...- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 3:48:00 PM PDT
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By the way what camera do you use Naomi? Coz the quality of the picture is so good and also some macro shots are really nice.
Also you have a very nice eye to capture these wonderful photos! I tried taking pictures of bees last summer. I'll try to do it again- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 5:11:00 PM PDT
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Hi Naomi! Love your lovey dovey bees, even if they are both female and probably weren't "doing it" down in the flower!! Seems a few of the readers are very wise about bees, so now we know why they are so busy! The females are doing all the work!! Those lazy males!!! That figures, huh??!! :)
George is putting out the sweet goodies for them. Those are lovely blooms.
Who knows how it would have been if RFK hadn't of been shot? Those were troubling times and they still go on today. Sad isn't it? But I guess we just have to dwell on the positive. I try not to watch the news since it's too depressing for me.
Hugs to you Naomi and give Sweetie a chin scratching for me!! (My cats love that!).- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 5:38:00 PM PDT
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Now that is what I call pollination! Good for them. And George had a front row seat, poor thing.
As for the world today, the girl abducted from Target and found. Oh My God how I feel for her family. I cannot imagine a thimble of their pain. Why is there so much cruelty in this world? So much death and horror? I hope the SOB fries.....- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 6:00:00 PM PDT
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You really SHOULD be in National Geographic or something! Beauty In Nature 101! Only YOU Naomi can give so much personality to a BEE! :)
And yes... we DO wonder how VERY different life would be today if RFK (and even JFK) had NOT been assassinated... *sigh*- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 6:12:00 PM PDT
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Yes, not only would have the USA been a different place (which I am sure of) but the whole world too.
Your bee photos are facsinating and I love the commentary. YOu make me smile.- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 6:32:00 PM PDT
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What a great series of pictures! I just love it when someone reminds me of the things I am missing because I'm not paying attention! What kind of flowers are those?
- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 10:01:00 PM PDT
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What spp of Cactus is that?
We have some here in Australia that only flower at night!!!
These are spectacular...
Here from Michele's on a wet and windy day here in Sydney...
Cheers
Bernie- Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 10:19:00 PM PDT
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Great shots of the busy bees!
Violence doesn't take us anywhere. The world should have learned that by now but don't feel hopeless! As we say in Spanish la esperanza es lo ultimo que se pierde, hope is the very last thing to lose.
Have a happy day!- Friday, June 8, 2007 at 3:19:00 AM PDT
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And now I remembered that song "only the good die young...".
- Friday, June 8, 2007 at 3:20:00 AM PDT
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We could sure use an RFK or a JFK right now, couldn't we? But just imagine what the press would do to them with their affairs, marital problems, etc. Times sure have changed.
Those photos are amazing, and your narration is hilarious! Lovely!
Michelle sent me this morning.- Friday, June 8, 2007 at 3:27:00 AM PDT
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Such beauty zoom-in! I tried but the bee wouldn't stay still! Just kept buzzing around as they are wont to do...and it truly is their dance of life.
- Friday, June 8, 2007 at 5:19:00 AM PDT
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An excellent nature study, Noami.
It makes on think what would have happened if the Kennedy brothers not been assasinated. The course of politics and the world would be very different.
Michele sent me here.- Friday, June 8, 2007 at 11:36:00 AM PDT
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Thanks for the visit, Naomi. Yes, mr. kenju did like that movie. I coldn't get him to tell me much about it though, because he was on his way to bed when it was over.
- Friday, June 8, 2007 at 11:53:00 AM PDT
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