One of the highlights of my visit on Monday to Green Spring Gardens was photographing a blossoming Japanese Apricot tree (Prunus mume). It was a little strange to see a tree with blossoms during the winter, but apparently it is normal for this species to blossom in mid-winter and late winter. The flowers are commonly known as plum blossoms and are a frequent theme in traditional painting in China and in other East Asian countries—the blossoms were also a favorite with the honey bees.
According to Wikipedia, the plum blossom is “one of the most beloved flowers in China and has been frequently depicted in Chinese art and poetry for centuries. The plum blossom is seen as a symbol of winter and a harbinger of spring. The blossoms are so beloved because they are viewed as blooming most vibrantly amidst the winter snow, exuding an ethereal elegance, while their fragrance is noticed to still subtly pervade the air at even the coldest times of the year. Therefore, the plum blossom came to symbolize perseverance and hope, as well as beauty, purity, and the transitoriness of life.”
I do not use my macro lens very much during the winter months and usually leave it at home. However, the mild weather that we have been having made me suspect that some flowers would be in bloom, so I put the macro lens on my camera—the busy bees turned out to be a big bonus.
I especially admired the efforts of the bee in the first photo. This bee did not want to wait for the bud to open, but instead burrowed its way to the pollen-filled center of the blossom-to-be.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
I love seeing and hearing bees at my flowers. Unlike hateful wasps generally speaking if you don’t bother the bees you can still work around them.
That’s pretty much my experience too. Even though I was pretty close to these bees, I was never worried about being stung.
He certainly made a mess of that bud, but it looks like he got what he was looking for. Great photos, Mike.
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Beautiful photos!
Beautiful, sharp colorful captures. M 🙂
Beautiful images Mike!!
Wonderful photos. I did not know that bees will force their way into a bud. Thanks for the info.
In my experience, bees (and a lot of other creatures) have a whole range of behaviors that we tend not to see because we don’t observe them long enough. I think that I would be a terrible travel companion for most people because I like to linger with a subject for a while rather than take a single shot and move on.
I understand that feeling very well myself. Have a great day lingering.