• Monday-What'sUP August 24 - 06:14 pm

When Brenda Leigh spotted several busy bees, gathering their dinner from these colorful flowers, she grabbed her camera and risked life and limb to bring us some amazing close-up shots of the action. Thank goodness it looks like they were actually more interested in drinking as much nectar as they could and didn't even notice her snapping away.

These pictures are a good reminder for everyone that the lazy, hazy days of summer are coming to a close...at least here in the Keweenaw they are and it's time to get busy preparing for the new school year to begin. I don't know about where you live, but around these parts, most of the schools start up again after Labor Day, which means a bit later start on September 8th. If you haven't started your school shopping yet, you better get busy like Brenda's bees!

I absolutely love these pictures! We tried to get some like this when we were on Mackinac Island last summer, but they didn't turn out nearly so good. These are great, Brenda!!!! We have so many wasps and bees around now, it's almost scary to go out. But they're not keeping me in. I always joke about wishing the bugs would come out in the winter when we aren't!!! The snowmobilers would be well protected from them, lol.

Lovin' the pictures. When I work in my flower gardens, the bees work right along side me...making for a good relationship. I've never been bitten by a bee; however, keep the wasps away from me as I have been bitten by them. Happy Monday to all.

On the subject of bees...would anyone out in Pastyland know why this is? Neighbors across the street have several beehives. Anytime we use water, to wash the cars, water flowers, filling the water tank for the horses, we are bombarded by honey bees. I'm wondering if these honey bees are from the neighbors hives. What is the big attraction about water to these bees?

Bees need water to cool the hive and to thin the honey. You are supplying the bees with a close source of needed water.

Incredible photos...the detail and color are fantastic.

Zman, thankyou for the information! That is very interesting to know! When they are over they are very content to rest on our arms and hands. They are friendly as bees can be.

Here in Richmond, VA., we start back to school the Tuesday after Labor Day. In the mountains, to my west in Virginia they are in their second week of school. In one area of Kentucky, a friend reports they went back the 17 of Auggust and are now closed for a week due to some rather intense H1N1 flu in the schools. OUCH. Get the flu shots when you can is the warning of the day. The wish for today is that all enjoy these last absolutely GOLDEN days of summer.

Such great shots of the flowers, thanks. Speaking of flowers...I never did get a response to earlier inquiries about what ever became of the Living Waters(?) Home and their lovey gardens? No one ever said what came of those properties. Always seemed like such a lovely place! How about it Charlie? Some one?

Nancy, the schools in Michigan, under law, cannot start until the first Tuesday after Labor Day. This keeps them and mom and dad on vacation and acting as tourist for another 2 weeks..Businesses love the new law.

Here in the Atlanta, GA area we are beginning our 4th week of school today.

Beautiful, even with that bumbley bee on the flowers (any pics with a honeybee in it {lol}).

Schools started today in southern Ohio. Love the second photo, the detail of the flower (marigold?) is excellent!! I love Fall flowers.....my favorite time of year! Thanks Brenda!

Beeeautiful flowersssss ... make wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing!!

Ms. Katie,
It was Stillwaters. It kept a beautiful garden for the residents and guests to stroll in. After a long struggle, it closed due to financial concerns. The property, as far as I know, is still just sitting there.

Up close and personal on the flowers and bees. Great pictures.

Hi All....just wanted to let you know there will be a delay in uploading today's photos and notes. You can blame ME for the delay today, as I forgot to attach the notes to my email, so Charlie didn't have them to do earlier this morning and now he's out on a repair run. The lightening last night hit one of the wireless towers in the Keweenaw and he's working on making it operational again.
OK, so now I'm prepared for all the tongue lashings I deserve! :->

Stay tuned...Photos by Deb Simons to follow later.