Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are definitely interesting, and very attractive little pollinators. They are well known for their ability to pollinate lots of different plants, including most crop species, making them responsible for providing the food we eat. They’re also responsible for the beautiful flowers in a well tended garden or the wildflower bloom on the side of a hill.

This morning there were not a lot of birds at the feeding station when I first went out, so I spent some time photographing the many different pollinators coming to the blackjack flowers. We had some rain last night, so there were new flowers opening up all over the bushes. I saw several types of butterflies, some wasps, and even a single hummingbird, but by far the most common pollinators out there were the honey bees.

There was a time when bees were somewhat scary to me since I am mildly allergic to their stings. Since then, I have learned so much more about them, and I no longer have any fear. They’re generally very peaceful, and unless you harm them or threaten them they don’t usually sting. I’ve even had them land on me to drink my sweat for the electrolytes. Yes, I’ve actually have come to admire their work ethic and their importance to the rest of the world.