Freeloading Aphids, Bumblebee tongues, fleshy little plant suckers, blushing red peppers, crinkled Zucchini flowers, bedraggled tomatoes, and a few flower portraits await your attention.
While processing some images of a beautiful red-striped Bumblebee that was foraging on (of course) my Beebalm flowers I noticed a tiny green aphid clinging to the back of the bee. You authors out there are free to turn the concept of a freeloading aphid and a Bumblebee into a great children’s book.
Here are a few images showing the aphid (whose name, quite creatively, turns out to be Greeny) in different poses as it clings on with all its might, surfing the great crusade of Polly the pollen hungry bee.
Now the story gets exciting as the bee realizes how much energy it is taking to carry around this freeloader. Notice in the photo below how Polly has moved two legs up over its back and is about to scrape Greeny off. An alternative take on the story is Polly feels the need to do some Yoga and accidentally dislodges the surfing aphid.
The story ends with Polly flying off with a load of pollen.
A trip to my neighbour Jon’s garden found beautiful red peppers, zucchini flowers and a very groggy bee sleeping on an Oregano stem.
Turning over Elm leaves in my back alley revealed some tiny translucent aphids just hanging out.
A few flower portraits.
Milkweed has a very elegant way of showing off the inverted chandelier light bulbs that make up the flowers.
Prairie cone flowers have been persisting for weeks in my garden.
The Sedum Autumn Joy is preparing for a fall display of flowers especially made for late-to-the-table pollinators.
This Cherry tomato plant has been a most amazing producer. I nearly killed it with drought when I went away in the spring and the water did not work. It did survive and gave all it had to make an abundance of beautiful red tomatoes. RIP Mr. Tomato.
The larger cousin survived the water free period as it had a larger pot and is producing nicely.
Enjoy the fall everyone. It is a wonderful time of the year as the abundance of harvest is about to explode.
8 Comments
Once again, amazing photos!!
Fantastic shots!
These are all beautiful shots Trent. The hitchhiking aphid made us laugh! As well as the bee ridding itself of the annoying passenger. What amazing pictures you take. Lucky us. We all benefit from your skill, keen eye and patience. Love bees so these pics are a real treat.Thank you!
Wow. Amazing close ups.
Never did I think that a bee could reach up and over it’s back. We don’t spend any time thinking about these little creatures in that way. Thanks for my awakening.
The closeup of the bee covered in pollen is wonderful. I have spent more than a few minutes watching bees almost roll around in a flower gathering pollen. We have a couple plants, an annual that is new to us aptly named Bee’s Friend and a perennial Lamb’s Ear that the bees particularly love.
Amazing insect pictures !
It is such a delight to see your insightful photos and stories! Thanks Trent!!