Friday afternoon
anthophilous insects imbibe
at my fly-up bar.
A few days ago I noticed a metallic green insect dashing through a patch of forget-me-nots in my garden. Struck by its vivid color, and its intense focus on the tiny flowers, I was intrigued! Later, as I was working on my post, I googled my description of what I thought must surely be a bee.
Not too long after posting my “rocking’ and rollin’ metallic green sweat bee” poem, Tom and Marina, a couple of my readers, kindly let me know of this case of mistaken identity in the comment section.
Turns out that the “bee” really is a type of hoverfly. Flies have two wings (one on each side) and bees have four wings (two on each side). Wing count is just one of the differences between the two species. I then took another look at my photos and it became clear that I had made a mistake. From now on I will count the wings and look for more details of what I’m looking at!
These hoverflies are however, fantastic pollinators. The adults feed on flower nectar and pollen, but their larvae devour large numbers of aphids and other soft bodied, harmful insects. They are some of the good guys in the garden!
Many creatures enjoy this forget-me-not flower patch every single day!
I hope your Sunday was Zen!
Sabine
This garter snake slithered across my foot while I was taking pictures early one morning!
in cahoots with muddy boots 
Pingback: Zunday Zen … Bee here Now! | in cahoots with muddy boots
+++++++++++++++++++++++Wo+nderful……..ooops cat is typing again——–!+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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😂
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These are fabulous photos! And a lovely hoverfly!
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Thanks Ali! I always assumed that flies are just annoying scavengers so I was pleasantly surprised that these hoverflies feast on nectar and pollen. I hope they hang around because our mild winter the aphids are starting to show up!
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Well we learned something again today. Two good days in a row. I’m heading back out to finish pressure washing as the sun did me in earlier. I didn’t hear your scream when the garter snake went over your foot! You would have heard mine. Great photos of all the flying things. 😉
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The only snake that could make me scream is a rattlesnake! 😉 I love having them around because they eat critters I don’t care for. It’ll be nice to get cooler temps again. I have to plant my flowers! Pressure washing is on our to-do list also. I hope you relax afterwards and put your feet up!
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Yes the snakes do eat things, but nonetheless they still give me the creeps 😳😁😉
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I think lots of people don’t like snakes. Good thing I’m not one of them because a few years ago I discovered a nest of newly hatched rubber boas by my tomato bed. There were about 8 of them taking serpentine flight when we were faced with each other! 🐍
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Sabine, I’m always intrigued by the photos you capture. You make me want to spend more time in the garden with my camera! Also, I’d be totally creeped out if a snake crossed over my foot! 😳 Enjoy your week!
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Hearing that my photos make you want to spend more time in the garden with your camera makes me happy! There is so much to see!! We grown-ups don’t always take the time to slow down and watch, i.e. do “nothing” for a little while. I call it meditation! 😉
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Sure is, and kiddos seem to see them!
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Nice captures Sabine!
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Thanks Arlene! 🙋
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Great shots! 🙂 I have both bees and hoverflies in 100 million year old Cretaceous fossil amber. They’ve been around a long time!
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Thanks Tom! 😊
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