Bumblebees

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Bumblebees are a delight in the garden (although I've just found out they are not welcome by everyone). I have never had the big, fat, fluffy variety in my garden until I moved here. We have the usual bees, native bees and wasps buzzing around the garden and then the bumblebee puts in an appearance. Almost big enough to pat, they strut their stuff as they make their way around the flowers.

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They almost look like a cartoon version of a bee. They have big round chubby bodies, cute and cuddly. They have strong stripes of black and bright yellow and fly from flower to flower with the single minded purpose to collect pollen.

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They particularly love the cottage garden where foxgloves have thrived and multiplied. The trumpet shaped flowers make the perfect tunnel for them to reach in and collect their treasure. They squeeze their little fat bodies up into the flower, buzzing merrily, then back out and up into another one.  One plant can keep them contented for hours.

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On a lovely sunny day I could sit and watch these industrious insects for ever. The flower garden is abuzz with their sound as they conscientiously check out all plants for pollen. As they collect more and more pollen, their legs get thick with yellow, almost rivalling their cute yellow stripes.

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It feels so good to know that bees find our garden healthy enough to spend their work day here. They help the garden thrive and in turn they thrive here. And when they are so cute, well that's an added bonus.

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