Suspended in a split second between flower and flight, a Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) hovers above a rose bed in search of a winter meal. Cold-season pollination is an opportunistic affair — honey bee colonies remain semi-active through winter, and on mild days, scouts will forage whatever blooms remain. Late-season roses, though few, can be a lifeline, offering calories that help sustain the colony until spring’s abundance returns.
One winter morning, I went outside our old house to capture a photo for a photography group’s weekly challenge. I thought I was going to photograph blooming roses. To my surprise, I ran into a few bees doing what they do best: pollinating. While observing the action, I knew it was just a matter of time before it took off to another rose. What made it even better was the sunlight making its body glow. All I had to do was wait, and my patience paid off! The next photo was the moment before the bee took flight.
Pollination doesn’t always wait for spring. In mild winters, honey bees will venture out on warmer days when temperatures climb above roughly 50°F (10°C), taking advantage of any blooms still offering nectar and pollen. Roses that linger into the cold season provide a rare and valuable forage resource when most flowers have long since faded.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Austin, Bee, FlowerHour, Honey Bee, Macros, Pollinators, Rose, Texas, Wildflowers, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour #22: Relaxing Beside Desert Greens.
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restlessjo
Fabulous! xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks. xx
Kirstin Troyer
So pretty. No pollinators here yet, but hopefully soon
Egidio Leitao
Thank you. They are slowly showing up in Texas.
Toonsarah
Your patience did indeed pay off – wonderful shots!
Egidio Leitao
It surely did. Thanks, Sarah.
Rebecca Cuningham
Beautiful capture of our friend the honeybee!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rebecca.
bushboy
Great macros Egidio
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Brian.
Anne Sandler
Great bee captures Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Truly a wonderful capture of the rose and its pollinator friend. So sharp and colorful. I appreciated reading about bees’ habits during the cold season!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Terri. I appreciate your compliment.