Mason bees! Mason bees!
By Carol Brown
@blitzfrick (2890)
United States
May 9, 2017 8:03pm CST
May 9, 2017
I did a bunch of yardwork today because lo and behold the sun was shining! I worked myself to exhaustion and decided to take a break.
As I sat in my lawn chair catching my breath and gazing down the length of my trailer lot, I noticed activity around the mason bee habitat I'd set out so hopefully earlier this spring, only to have my bees' cocoons scattered in a windstorm. I thought at first it was flies or maybe wasps buzzing around, but on close inspection I discovered it was mason bees! HOORAY!
Where they came from I have no idea but it brought to mind that movie quote: If I build it, they will come.
This is great news for my garden! Yippee!
4 people like this
4 responses
@LadyDuck (458088)
• Switzerland
11 May 17
@blitzfrick We have no hummingbirds in this country, I think they are not present in any European country.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
11 May 17
@LadyDuck Well that just blows my mind! But there once were hummingbirds in Europe, long long ago...
Unexpected Fossil Creates a Buzz About Hummingbird Origins
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
10 May 17
Yes, my sage is just beginning to show leaves. Not only bees love it, it's also a favorite of hummingbirds.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
10 May 17
Well, thank you very much. Gotta love the bees! Mason bees don't make honey, and won't sting unless they sense agression. They're my faves, but I do like honey—which I buy from the beekeeper down the street.
Btw, did/will you plant sunflowers this year? I loved your Sunflower Sentinels when I visited.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57858)
• Centralia, Washington
10 May 17
@blitzfrick We so far have not planted that long row with sunflowers. Thanks for the nudge in the posterior. I did find a packet of red sunflowers that intrigued me so I planted them by the shed plus some volunteer sunnys are coming up in a couple of places.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
10 May 17
@sallypup I love those off-color sunflowers. Have you found a black one? Gorgeous!
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
11 Jul 17
A few of them managed to survive, judging by the number of cocoons. They're asleep until early next spring. 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34356)
•
11 Jul 17
Good for you. Seems the bees are everywhere as I'm noticing more of them on my flowers of this one shrub tree in my yard. I think the purple flowers attract them. Even saw a pretty butterfly on the flowers. 
Yes, summer is in full swing!
Yes, summer is in full swing!1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
12 Jul 17
@dgobucks226 I wonder if I'd be bored in a climate that was always summer. I love summer. However, allergies...
Butterflies and bees here too. Ahhhhh
@dgobucks226 (34356)
•
12 Jul 17
@blitzfrick I enjoy not having to look for a coat to put on especially in winter. Now if we could just have 3 seasons count me in...
1 person likes this
