flowers – Sequim Daily Photo

Pretty in Pink

An Anna’s Humming Bird Feeding on Flowers

While photographing hummingbirds and songbirds at a friend’s house here in Sequim, I was told that planting Catmint is one of the best ways to attract these beauties. So if you hope to bring them to your backyard, consider adding this plant to your landscape.

And although I recently added Catmint, and planted any number of other flowering plants in an effort to increase my chances of attracting them, I find they’re more interested in my feeders than anything else.

So given that, I bring in my feeders when the plants are in bloom. That forces the hummers to look elsewhere and it helps increase the likelihood of me getting to photograph them on something other than a feeder.

And if you have a good way to attract them and you’re willing to share, please let us all know by making a comment.

Bee Kind…

A Bumble Bee Gathering Pollen from Craspedia

While a lot of us may be nervous about bees, I understand that bumble bees are rather docile and reluctant to sting – and they’ll only sting if they are getting smooshed, or if you threaten their nest, both of which are really bad ideas.

In general, bumble bees are tolerant of people, so you can get close and observe them without bothering them, but getting a good photo could be pushing their limits. I’ve only gotten stung once so far, but I’m sure it will not be my last, since like many fellow photographers, I find them so irresistible to photograph.

This particular one was in British Colombia flitting about an amazing flower I not seen before…craspedia, a native to Australia and New Zealand (!) which sort of resembles ping pong or whiffle balls.

And as you may already know, bees and other pollinators are essential for the pollination of many crops, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts. A decline in bee populations could lead to reduced crop yields and increased food prices (yes!), yet it seems like every year, we hear about their populations declining even more.

So as the 2021 Sequim logo encouraged us to do then please, “Be Kind”, and please be especially kind to bees – kill the pesticides this year, not the bees! Our crops depend on it.

Another Butterfly

Before I get back to my collection of Sequim photos, I don’t want to miss the opportunity to post one more of these remarkable creatures, which I found at Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale, AZ.

Since its Greek name is a true tongue twister, I prefer to use the more common and descriptive name, Crimson-Banded Red Rim, for this one, which was perched on a flower that I find difficult to identify. Aside from that, it attracted more butterflies than most plants in the garden, and photographically speaking, if became one of favorite images from the trip.

Do not fear though…tomorrow I’ll be back with more locally based images, that is until April, when I plan to ask more of my photography friends to provide images during the two weeks that I plan to be in Florida. There I’ll be photographing my favorite subjects, BIRDS!