Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Lavender Bees and Annabel


The lavender is in full bloom right now and these beautiful little yellow bees have found there summer home. I think these are Golden, Northern Bumble Bees. The small dancing yellow bodies against the green and blue of the lavender is breathtaking. I must have taken 50 photos to get a few good ones. The last photo on the bottom right is, I think, a Mining Bee. They are all over the place aroung here but usually alone. They don't hang in groups like the little yellow ones do. This little guy was getting ready for bed. I was able to touch him. He was moving very slow and didn't fly away. I use to read the boys a story about a sleepy little bee. Maybe this is him.
Yes, it's Annabel. She's still here and she's made this place her own. She controls the mouse and lizard population, catches dragonflies midair and stares down the dogs when they bark at her. She has earned her right to be a critter on 3 Dog Farm, which we now call 2 Dogs and a Cat Farm. Although she is more like a dog than any cat we ever had before. She follows me on my walks ( or I should say.., LEADS me.) and has had stand offs with the deer that come into the yard looking for water and cracked corn. Yes, the prospector leaves food for the deer. I use to think he had an ulterior motive but I don't think he does. He's too soft hearted and now the does bring their babies. You just can't think "meat on the table" when you see these sweet, spotted babies with their mommies.
Anyway, Annie has settled in to her life here and, before it got warmer, we were closing her into the garage at night. Yesterday was one of our first hot days and so the garage gets way to hot to close her up in there. We leave the back door ajar and hope that she has the common sense to stay out of harms way at night. The foxes and coyote have been very active before and after the full moon. They come in close and make a lot of noise. I hope Annabel stays in the confines of the house area and watches her back.
Isn't she a beautiful cat?

I'm leaving in a few hours to see Mom and my sister. I'll be back on Thursday.
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11 comments:

  1. Have a good time with your Mom and Lisa and tell Lisa I said hi.

    Your cat is just beautiful and as always your pictures are great!!!

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  2. Connie, have a safe trip to see your mom. The bee pictures are great as are the cat pictures. She is a very pretty kitty. I always click on your pictures to make them larger. I have never seen yellow bumble bees. Very good post. Have a great evening. Madeline

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  3. she is a pretty cat and has a great personality. Have a good visit.

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  4. Indeed, a lovely cat! I have one with similar coloration on loan to my mom since my father passed away. Good company, and only a house cat, though she wishes and dreams of adventures beyond the looking glass....

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  5. Annabel is a little beauty. I love watching the bees working their flowers. Did you notice that if one bee has started working on a flower and another bee lands, the first one will run him off... seems like one of those king of the pistil things. Have a safe journey and a good visit.

    Helen

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  6. Oh my gosh your cat sounds like my oscar. He too is more of dog than a cat. I play it to the fact we rescued him when he was itty bitty after a bad neighbor did him wrong. He wrestles with my dogs, plays chase with them, follows me to the bathroom like a two year old and always does bed checks at night. He is a blast.

    Your blog is beautiful. Thank you for having me.

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  7. Sweet post.

    May your trip be sweet, as well.

    : D

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  8. Yes Annabel is gorgeous, I would call her a tortoiseshell cat, used to have a beauty when I was younger.
    I am gald to know that the bee population is doing well. I heard somewhere that they were "threatened" or somesuch[by the Africanized bees?]
    Lucky you, lavender is one of my VERY great favorites,I adore the fragrance.Hope Mom is still doing better.

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  9. Thanks for your wonderful comment on my blog Connie. I love Annabel! I had a calico, I hear all calicos are female. Is that true? Hope your mom is doing well. Take care.

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  10. Great pictures! I sure don't see as many bees around here as I used too several years ago. Sad. Annabelle is a gorgeous kitty. I love calicos.

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  11. Missing you already,Connie, hope it's a good visit!

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