Bumble, Buzz & Bloom: A Day of Bees, Flowers, and Discovery - Aug 1, 2025

This morning, I set out with one mission: to photograph bees. Armed with my macro lens and a heart full of curiosity, I was ready to dive deeper into the world of pollinators. As part of my Master Melittologist Apprentice Program (more to come in future blogs about that), I’ve been learning just how complex, critical, and misunderstood bees truly are—and today felt like the perfect chance to put that learning into practice.

I found myself face-to-face with not one, but two butterfly bushes—one in regal purple and the other in elegant white, like the garden was hosting a fancy floral gala. Their blooms were outrageous clusters of teeny trumpet-shaped flowers, each one practically shouting “Pollinators welcome!” I leaned in close, admiring the delicate structure—like tiny bouquets stacked into a perfect cone.

The only thing missing? The guests of honor. Not a single butterfly in sight. I guess they missed the invite, or maybe it was just too hot for winged RSVPs. Still, I couldn't help but marvel at how these bushes are basically five-star nectar buffets, blooming all summer long and offering a vital pit stop for bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Even without the flutter, the flowers were stealing the spotlight.

Where do you find bees in summer? Lavender farms, of course! I arrived at the first farm just before 10 a.m., but apparently not before the bees had fully clocked in. They were already busy buzzing from flower to flower, deep into their workday. Photographing them was no easy feat—bees don’t exactly strike a pose—but I managed to capture a few moments of pure magic: bumble bees nestled in lavender, wings shimmering in the sun.

Just as I arrived, I was greeted by a wild bunny—adorable, fluffy, and deeply suspicious of my presence. He gave me the classic side eye, like, “Really? You brought a camera?” No matter how kindly I inched forward, he refused to turn around and give me the full runway pose. Clearly, this bunny knew his angles—and I wasn’t getting the front view without a signed modeling contract.

Back in the lavender, I found myself completely absorbed. Surrounded by thousands of bees, it was hard to focus on just one, but when I did, time slowed down. I love bumble bees. They bumble, they buzz, they mind their own business—and in that moment, I felt like I was in their world, not mine.

Did You Know?

Lavender has vibrant purple flowers are rich in nectar and bloom for a long time, making it one of the best plants for supporting pollinators. Plus, the scent we love actually helps attract bees by guiding them to the flower’s nectar-rich center. So next time you see a patch of buzzing lavender, just know—it’s nature’s five-star buffet for bees!

I couldn’t help but laugh, wondering what they must think of this human crouched in the dirt, squinting into a lens. I spotted some exciting varieties too: the classic yellow-and-black bees, and even one with soft cream tones—almost albino in appearance. What a thrill!

After a while, I moved on to a local petting farm known for its honey. It didn’t disappoint. I picked up a jar of delicious coffee honey and was treated to fields of sunflowers (my favorite!) standing tall and golden in the heat.

There’s something magical about bees on sunflowers. These sunny giants aren’t just beautiful—they’re bee superhighways. Each sunflower head can contain up to 2,000 tiny individual flowers (called florets), each one offering nectar or pollen. So when a bee lands, it doesn’t just visit a flower—it’s visiting hundreds without even lifting off. Talk about efficient grocery shopping! Watching them spiral across the sunflower’s golden maze, you can’t help but admire how methodical and focused they are. Meanwhile, I’m just melting in the sun, trying not to sneeze from joy.

But what really caught my lens—and my heart—was a massive, colorful bee working hard on a patch of Globe Artichoke Blooms. Once artichokes are left to flower, they produce these large, thistle-like purple blooms with vivid stamens. These flowers are extremely attractive to pollinators—especially bees—due to their size, bright color, and abundant pollen.

This bee was loaded with pollen—like, "you-can’t-possibly-carry-more" levels of fluff. And yet? Back into the buffet it went, determined to hit every last artichoke bloom like it was at an all-you-can-eat brunch. I tried to ID it (possibly a Red-belted Bumble Bee? Or maybe Tricolored?), but it wasn’t about to pause for a headshot. It couldn’t care less about me or my camera. I was just background noise to its pollen party. Respect.

Then came the poppies—red, orange, pink—dancing in the breeze like petals on fire.

Did You Know?

Poppies close their petals at night or on cloudy days—it's their way of protecting their pollen from moisture. They literally tuck themselves in for bed!

Bees love poppies, but poppies don’t offer nectar—only pollen. That means bees come strictly for the protein-packed goods, and they leave absolutely covered in it.The vibrant colors of poppies—red, orange, pink—aren’t just for show. They're like runway lights for pollinators, guiding them in with visual cues that say, “Land here!”

Cool, right?

I was sweating in the summer heat, still fighting off the last of a sinus cold, but none of that mattered. In the stillness of those fields, I found exactly what I needed: quiet, nature, life.

Today reminded me why I do this. Why I pick up my camera. Why I chase the wild. And something shifted in me too—I think I picked up another conservation cause. Bees. I used to fear them, like many people do. But now, with knowledge and experience, I’ve become a bee protector.

We still misunderstand so many species of bees. But the more I learn, the more I admire them. Their work is vital. Their world is beautiful. And now, I get to help share that story—one photo at a time.

And, in the middle of chasing bees and butterflies, I reminded myself not to overlook the quiet stars of the garden—the other gorgeous blooms tucked in the background. Sometimes it’s not about the rare sighting, but about slowing down, leaning in, and really noticing the delicate shapes, colors, and stories hidden in the petals. The beauty’s always there—you just have to stop long enough to see it.