Shades of Yellow

For the past several years, I have enjoyed the grand size and beauty of sunflowers. However, this year, due to medical concerns and knee replacement surgery, my gardening was scaled back significantly. But the birds disagreed with my decision and scattered seed from their feeder in various places in the yard.

With my daughter taking care of the yard, nature moved faster than she did. But I have thoroughly enjoyed nature’s course until a storm came through, knocking the tall majestic plants to the ground. Since they had not fully matured and bloomed, I had my daughter lean them against the fence, hoping they would continue to bloom…and they did.

To me, the sunflower is a wonderful example of resilience in the face of storms and continued proof of God’s intricate design through all of creation. As we look at the single bloom, we see a happy flower sharing its gifts not only to us, but also to the bees and the many goldfinches that seem to love these flowers.

When you look closely, you will see that the sunflower is filled with tiny florets, each with a pollen-filled stamen.

As the bees move across the flower, they pollinate the individual florets, creating the sunflower seeds that the goldfinches love.

So, as you watch the beauty of nature, remember God’s plan for you is just as intricate as it is for a simple flower, a bee, or a bird, and remember to always be kind.

Nature Photo Challenge #23

Denzil Nature posted a challenge about the important side of nature concerning the things we call pests – Flies. If you have not seen his site, do check it out for some amazing photos. For my addition to this post, I am including flies and other things that buzz in my yard – some louder than others.

I do have in my yard a similar fly, possibly a bottle fly, that I was surprised that they hovered around my flowers…instead of something less pleasant.

But I also have other things that fly, maybe hoping to catch a less cautious bottle fly.

Then there are many swirling bees enjoying the nectar of my sunflowers. proof that bees don’t care if the petals are bright yellow, light yellow or no petals at all.

But my favorite flyer is not an insect, although he is not much bigger than some insects. And I don’t really have the equipment to capture him properly in photos, but still, he is a favorite – the hummingbird.

All of nature is important and has a purpose in being, so enjoy it often. And as always I remind you of another beauty in nature – kindness. For if all of us can show kindness to all of nature, kindness will continue to grow.

FOTD, July 19, Portulaca

Portulaca is a type of flowering plant in the Portulacaceae family that is also known as the moss rose as it does resemble a small rose. The flower size is not larger than 4 inches but its vibrant color makes up for the small size.

You can see that in the flower box, they are more widely scattered than tall with succulent-type leaves. On closer view their mix of colors can make you smile.

The bees were very busy this morning with their little legs being covered in the all important pollen. Below are some closeups of individual bloom colors and their bee friends.

A white bloom, a red bloom beside it, and a yellow bloom with a bee friend.

Rosey pinks with their bee friends and a light pink below.

This bloom really shows the rose like quality of the bloom.

As you enjoy the simple beauty of these blooms, remember the beauty of kindness.

Always Be Kind!

Of Flowers and Flying Things

I am always amazed at the types of flying visitors that visit my yard and the flowers that I plant. I think I am most amazed at how many house flies seem to like flowers…at least I think they are house flies. I looked up flies and was amazed and the number of types of this little pest. I think that is why this one visitor is there…waiting on a fly to land so he gets a meal…

But the flies seem persistent with their blue-green color. When I was a kid we had a name for these but being online, we don’t want to use that kind of language, but I think you get my drift.

But we also have many types of bees that come visit, bumble bees, honey bees, and some type of tiny bee. This sunflower has a small bumble bee and one of the tiny type bees. This little guy’s legs are covered with pollen crystals.

Then we have the flying creatures that always bring about a smile…

Goldfinches are loving my sunflowers this year and then the Mourning Doves are always stopping by the feeder. Having a pair that visit you regularly is a sign of Love Peace and Hope. I am always up for those feelings.

Other visitors are around as well…

The nature that is close by in our yards should be enjoyed and not forgotten about for their presence is what makes our gardens flourish.

And as always, I remind you to be kind. Let it flourish from you as well and see the vast difference it can make.

Always Be Kind!

CMMC October Close Up & Micro

Cee’s fun midweek challenge usually makes you think outside the box but close ups and micros are a favorite. Since I was out taking pictures for today’s FOTD, I was able to capture some close ups.

Every spring I promise myself that I will save all the little tags so that I can properly identify the flowers that I plant. And every fall I cant remember their name. 🤔

So for now I am calling this a red daisy. Its in that family somewhere. But I love the tiny white fuzzy stamen type things on this particular flower.

Here we have a bee enjoying the nectar from a marigold. He was so still I thought he was dead but no, he flew off fine, he was just busy and not bothered by me.

I love the red marigolds with their yellow trimmed petals and rich yellow center. Their fragrance is not pleasant but we plant them for that purpose. The moles don’t like their smell either, so it keeps them mostly out of the yard.

Another great capture is sharing the beauty of kindness close up. It may start with that one kind act but the affects reach past you on to others.

Laziness vs. Determination

In a world of confusion and mixed ideas of laziness vs work ethic, I think we can all take a cue from the animal kingdom. They have one goal in mind – take care of family and make sure there is enough food for everyone.

As I was out today taking pictures of the giant 12′ sunflower at the church’s community garden…

And the 10′ giants…

I noticed an extremely determined bee, trying to get to the richest part of the nectar of a misplaced marigold flower, with it’s head buried deep in the flower with a back leg sticking straight up in air for balance.

The bee was enjoying this accidental planting inside the raised tomato planter and I was able to snatch a timely macro photo.

Nature can teach us a lot about life is we stop long enough to see its beauty. And with all of the beauty you may or may not see, I remind you to share kindness in all that you do so that others see the beauty in you.

CMMC August Close-Up & Macro

Cees’ Close Up challenge is always a reason for me to play with my camera and try to figure out what I am doing. Now that August is upon us, the bee are closing in on the end of summer rush to gain as much nectar as possible.

I am always fascinated at the details that come through with the macro lens. Its amazing how fuzzy bees are…and how they let me get that close.

Here is a reminder to always be kind. You can even be the fuzzy kind, up close and personal. but not for a macro amount. Be kind in a big way.

FOTD – August 28, The Workers

What would we have if we didn’t have the little workers who pollinate our flowers? We would miss out on all the photographs plus the unimaginable benefits we get from the work they do. Cee’s Flower of the Day challenge reminds us of the beauty we see all around us throughout the year. So today while I am showing various picture of my sunflowers(before they fell) the true subject is the bees that so loved these huge flowers.

When a bee lands on a flower, the pollen sticks to the tiny hairs on it legs. Then the bee takes this pollen, which is high in protein, to other flowers and finally to feed its developing offspring.

When water is added to the flower’s sugar, it creates nectar. The nectar is a food source for the bees that gives them energy to fly from flower to flowers, pollinating as it goes. If we didn’t have bees pollinating our plants, we would not have the vegetables and fruit we enjoy eating. It is all a part of the many intersecting rings of life.

So enjoy the many circles of life and understand how very much we need each other to survive. And in doing so, remember the extra advantage of being kind within all the circles. Kindness can be sweeter than any nectar from any flower.

Beauty in the Sky

Things that Fly

This is an awkward story, rather a poem of things that fly

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Of God’s creation on day five of things that fill the sky

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Big things and small things can zoom through the air

Other things just float or flutter with acrobatical affair

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Heavy things and light things, so many types there be

One must pay attention to all the beauty you can see

It was day five that God created the many things that fly

To show us the beauty of Him that love us…way up high

Anita Neal

If you enjoy being outside, look around at all that there is to see. There is life and beauty everywhere, big and little, fast and slow. All with their unique purpose and task to complete. And as always I remind you the beauty and important attribute of Kindness. In all that we do, we should always be kind.

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Too Bee or Not to Bee, World Bee Day

World Bee day, what an awesome way to recognize the value and necessity of a creature. The entire world depends on bees for pollination and if we don’t have take care of them then we wont take care of us, as in we won’t have food to eat. Some crops are dependent on bee pollination. If you want to read more about it, read this interesting article. I posted about bees yesterday not know today, May 20, was honor day for bees. So I will post some of my past photos as well.

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How To Protect Bees: A Gardener Guide To Protecting Bees

So as you enjoy nature as it buzzes around you, remember to be happy yourself and let the happiness roll over into kindness for other people and all things living.

BEE KIND In a world where you can be anything by keryl | TpT