Now you see them, now you don't

The sunflower border is looking gorgeous these days! My vision of what I wanted to achieve actually worked. Woo hoo!

 
What I had NOT anticipated was those darned 4 legged tree rats with bushy tails (squirrels)discovering the ripening sunflower seeds in the more mature heads and climbing the plants to eat the heads. Boo hiss! Be sure and admire them before the squirrels do them in.
 
We have quite a few different varieties of sunflower cultivars which  have been lots of fun watching flower. By the way, the view from outside the fence is quite a bit different from the inside of the fence.


Watch me disappear.....

 


because now I've been eaten.





Eaten, broken off and left crushed on the ground.

For All You Bee Lovers!

Hey Everyone,

While my hive is not producing any honey, I thought all you beekeepers would appreciate the beauty of this nest.  It is so amazing to get up close views of insects in motion!  I have properly identified these wasps hanging in the trees by my home and may I present the Bald-faced Hornet.  Dolichovespula maculata!

This black-and-white relative of the yellow jacket gets its common name from its largely black color, but mostly white face.  It also has easily identifiable white markings on the tip of the abdomen.  Its habitat is the aerial nest pictured here and at peak can contain 100 - 400 members.

These hornets are quite aggressive in nature and it is said that they will attack anyone or anything that invades their space.  With their stingers being smooth, they have the ability to sting repeatedly.  Their stings contain venom, which can cause pain, swelling, and itching for about 24 hours.  I eagerly wait with anticipation!

Bald-faced Hornets Nest
Sue, I think my queen needs a name!

Happy Gardening,

Denise, Beds 25 & 29