Pollinating The Purple Passionflower

Photograph of a bee on a purple passionflower by Doug Couvillion

A variety of pollinators were active on the Purple Passionflowers in a meadow I hiked in early August. The bumble bees seemed to be running things, perfectly sized to gather the pollen from the down turned stamen of the passionflowers. In fact, most of the yellow above this bee’s wings is a thick coating of pollen.

Dogwood Bloom

close up photograph of a dogwood bloom by Doug Couvillion

Late last spring I planted a dogwood in the backyard. By that time the tree had already boomed so I wasn’t really sure what the flowers would look like. All summer I faithfully watered our new tree hoping it would produce flowers this spring. Finally, a week or two ago my care for the tree paid off. It’s in full bloom and the flowers look great. This is a close up of one of the many blooms.

Butchart Gardens Pond

photograph of a koi pond in Butchart Gardens by Doug Couvillion

Over the summer we visited Butchart Gardens, in Victoria, British Columbia.  This pond can is in the Italian Garden section of the park.  I had to wait a little while to get the shot without any bystanders in it but I think it was worth the effort.

Wilting Camelia, I

photograph of a wilting camelia flower

The camelia flowers have had their run.

Their work is nearly done and their time is running out.

In a few more days this flower will be gone.

Daisy Fleabane

macro photograph of Daisy Fleabane growing in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA
Daisy Fleabane

This daisy fleabane was blooming along a hiking trail in Shenandoah National Park at the end of May.

Knowing “bane” loosely means something that is hated by or makes something’s existence more difficult, I thought fleabane was an interesting name for a wildflower so I looked it up.  Folklore has it these plants can be dried and used to keep fleas away.  That explains the name.

Blackberry Blossoms

photograph of wild blackberry blossoms in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA
Blackberry Blossoms

The bees in Shenandoah National Park were busy pollinating blackberry blossoms growing along the Dark Hollow Falls trail when I was last there.