A Mated Pair

Something my better half took while I was gone this morning.  Pretty good shot for someone that doesn't use my camera that much.  The camera was in full manual mode and manual focus.  All I had to do was lighten it just a bit.  Way to go Cindy!

A pair of Mallards checking out the fountain island.  They seem to like jumping off into the pond and getting back on.  Oh what a life...

The Stumble

One duck says to the other.....watch yourself there Donald, that first step is a whopper.  For some reason the ducks this year, along with the Heron, seem to like acting like kids.  They like to walk down the top of the wall.

Find the Bee!

Actually it isn't too difficult, however, it does seem to try to blend in.  My best guess is it's a Carpenter Bee and it is trying to bore into the rug on the deck, surprise, it isn't wood.  

Standing Guard

One of several Heron's that visit the pond, this one stands guard in the early morning light.  When the sun gets higher in the sky his yellow look will fade to more white and gray.

Rummaging on a Purple Flower

I don't what kind of bee this is but they get along with humans just fine.  We have this perennial out back that smells like a weed.  Grows like a weed and pretty much looks like a weed other than the flowers.  It attracts butterflies and these bees every year but mainly this variety of bees.  You never see them with pollen on their legs like you do honey bees.  Between this plant and a Lythrum that is close by I would venture a guess of 35 or more bees.  They stay at the plants and if you reach in to do any trimming it doesn't bother them.

Late In The Day

These guys have laid around all day and now they want to adjust their feathers.  Three hens and one male.  He has a harem.

Busy As.......

I took some time to try to get a Bee to hold still long enough for a photo session.  You end up with a lot of wasted card space used and a lot of images that are a total waste of time and energy.  Even though this one is a little blurred it's still not too bad.  Now I need to go through the ones with the bees on some purple flowering plant that smell just like a field of WEEDS!  Good thing my allergies have cleared up with age.  These guys go for the nectar but you never see it on their legs like honey bees.  Not sure if they just eat it or carry it in some other fashion.