Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Pumpkins & Bees

This is why bees are so handy to have around if you want to grow pumpkins:
This bee is crawling out of a male pumpkin flower after a drink of nectar from right at the base of the flower. As you can see, in the process of getting that nectar, she gets covered in pollen. She cleans it from her wings and her eyes before flying to the next flower but there is still plenty stuck to her to pollinate a female flower!

6 comments:

kaiteM said...

a very useful critter, but, i often hand pollinate my pumpkins.

Chiara Z said...

I love the photo, but can't help wondering how you can bear to get so up close and personal with all these beasties!

Vireya said...

The bees are why we don't need to hand pollinate the pumpkins here, Kaite.

TT - the camera might be close, but I'm standing back a bit. I have long arms!

jacaranda said...

Would love to know what sort of camera you use. Great photos.

Adele - A Lass from Downunder said...

I love this photo Vireya and all your other macro nature shots!

Vireya said...

Thanks, Adele, and welcome to the world of blogging!