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104K views 528 replies 36 participants last post by  Kuro 
#1 ·
Feb and Mar chickweed, miner's lettuce, ground mint, and pussywillow. Some maples have begun this week.
 
#312 ·
This winter has been relatively warm but very wet. The bees flew fairly often but I have not seen much pollen coming in.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•1/6 - 1/26/20

[A honey bee on a cyclamen flower]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Cyclamen Groundcover


•New blooms

•Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas): a deciduous ornamental tree/shrub with numerous yellow flowers.
[Cornelian cherry & honey bee] https://www.flickr.com/photos/52649814@N05/6863103016/

•Crocus (Crocus): early crocus (C. tommasinianus) began to bloom. Larger and more common Dutch crocus (C. vernus) will bloom later.
[Early crocus & honey bee, January 2019]
Flowering plant Flower Plant Crocus Petal


•Reticulata iris (Iris reticulata or similar species): a small iris.
[Reticulata iris & honey bee] http://ellishollow.remarc.com/?p=616

•Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima): a semi evergreen ornamental shrub/vine with white, fragrant flowers.
[Winter honeysuckle & honey bee] https://afrenchgarden.wordpress.com...l/1-bee-gathers-pollen-on-winter-honeysuckle/
 
#313 ·
It was not cold but rained every day. Pollen sub I offered in a roofed area became very popular.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•1/27 - 2/2/20

•New blooms

•Elm (Ulmus): clusters of inconspicuous flowers began to bloom on young Princeton elm trees (U. americana ‘Princeton’). This cultivar is resistant to Dutch elm disease and found as a fairly common street tree. There also are a few surviving large trees of American elm (not native here) and English elm in the neighborhood, which might be blooming on high branches (too far to be certain).
[English elm & honey bee] http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/ulmus-minor_apis-mellifera

•Osoberry or Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis): a large deciduous shrub found in open forests and on roadsides. Small, trumpet-shaped, greenish-white flowers are emerging. Male and female flowers occur on different plants. This is one of the first native plants to bloom in my area.
[Osoberry & honey bee] https://radicalbotany.com/2013/03/2...cerasiformis/honey-bee-on-indian-plum-flower/

•Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha): a deciduous ornamental shrub with round clusters of small, tubular, yellow flowers.
[Paperbush & honey bee] https://www.insectimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5556790

•Pieris, lily-of-the-valley shrub, or andromeda (Pieris): a common evergreen ornamental shrub with drooping clusters of small, white or pink, urn-shaped flowers.
[Pieris & honey bee] https://www.flickr.com/photos/30860410@N07/5658817789/

•Silver maple (Acer saccharinum): a deciduous tree with gray, shaggy barks, sometimes planted in a front yard. This is the first maple (not native here) to bloom in my neighborhood.
[Silver maple & honey bee] https://drydenwire.com/news/natural-connections-even-the-mighty-silver-maples-need-bees/

•Snowdrop (Galanthus): a small bulb plant with white, bell-shaped flowers.
[Snowdrop & honey bee] https://trogtrogblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/honey-bees-on-snowdrops.html
 
#314 ·
After days of relentless rain, we had a sunny afternoon today.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•2/3 - 2/9/20

•New blooms

•Daffodil (Narcissus), one of early blooming varieties with yellow flowers.
[Daffodil & honey bee] https://thegardenimpressionists.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/sdim8577-2.jpg

•Flowering quince (Chaenomeles): a deciduous ornamental shrub with red (maybe pink or or white), 5-petal flowers on spiny twigs.
[Flowering quince & honey bee] https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=16544

•Manzanita, an unknown winter-blooming dwarf variety (Arctostaphylos sp.): an evergreen ornamental shrub, looking like a small strawberry tree, with small, urn-shaped, pale pink flowers.
[Manzanita & honey bee] https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=16361

•Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis): a small bulb (actually tuber) plant with yellow flowers.
[Winter aconite & honey bee, March 2018]
Flower Yellow Plant Flowering plant Petal


•Winter daphne (Daphne odora): an evergreen ornamental shrub with pale-pink, tubular, four-lobed flowers that are very fragrant.
[Winter daphne & honey bee] https://honeypotflowers.wordpress.c...nderful-fragrance-daphne-odora-winter-daphne/
 
#315 ·
We had relatively dry, but <50F weather in the past week. The bees kept collecting pollen sub.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•2/10 - 2/16/20

[Honey bees on reticulated iris, Dutch crocus, giant snowdrop, and Higan cherry]
Flower Plant beardtongue Flowering plant Iris
Flowering plant cretan crocus Flower tommie crocus Plant
Flower Plant Snowdrop Flowering plant Galanthus
Tree Wire Pole Plant Sky


•New blooms

•Dutch crocus (Crocus vernus)
[Dutch crocus & honey bee, see above]

•Grape hyacinth (Muscari): a small bulb plant with many urn-shaped flowers.
[Grape hyacinth & honey bee, March 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant grape hyacinth monkshood


•Red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum): a deciduous native shrub with clusters of rosy pink (maybe white), 5-petal flowers. Palmately lobed leaves will emerge soon. The ones I saw blooming were probably some cultivars commonly used in landscaping.
[Red-flowering currant & honey bee] https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1052

•Western beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. Californica): a large deciduous shrub or a small tree, often found in open forests. Brownish male catkins are attached to the branches individually or in pairs. This native hazelnut may be one of the first major pollen sources where European hazelnut (C. avellana, started to bloom in December) is not neutralized.
[Beaked hazelnut & honey bee] https://gardenfairyfarm.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/hazel-shrubs-for-bees/
 
#316 ·
The bees had a couple of sunny, ~55F afternoons and brought back some natural pollen. I saw a queen bumble bee for the first time this year.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•2/17 - 2/23/20

•New blooms

•Common camellia (Camellia japonica): an evergreen ornamental shrub or a small tree, typically larger than fall-blooming sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua). There are many varieties and hybrids between these two with intermediate sizes and blooming times.
[Common camellia & honey bee, March 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Petal Japanese Camellia


•Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): began to bloom here and there, although some could always be found throughout the past season.
[Dandelion & honey bee, August 2018]
Flower Flowering plant dandelion Native Sowthistle Plant


•Flowering plum, cherry plum or myrobalan plum (Prunus cerasifera): a large deciduous shrub or a small tree. Some varieties have white, five-petal flowers and green leaves (leaves will emerge later), and others such as ‘Thundercloud’ have pink flowers and red-purple leaves. Many escaped plants, mostly with white flowers and green leaves, are found in my neighborhood. Common plum (P. domestica) will bloom later.
[Flowering plum (white) & honey bee, March 2019]
Flower Plant Tree Blossom Spring


•Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium aka Mahonia aquifolium): an evergreen native shrub with yellow flowers and spiny leaves, also used in landscaping. Dwarf Oregon grape (B. nervosa) will bloom later.
[Oregon grape & honey bee] https://jrosandicphotography.wordpress.com/2017/08/17/wpc-ooh-shiny-little-flowers/

•Red maple (Acer rubrum) and Freeman maple (Acer x freemanii, red x silver maple hybrid): the most common street trees in my neighborhood (not native here). Clusters of red flowerbuds are opening on bare branches. Male and female flowers may occur on the same tree or on different trees.
[Red maple & honey bee] http://peacebeefarm.blogspot.com/2013/02/red-maple-in-bloom.html

•Red alder (Alnus rubra): a very common medium-sized deciduous tree with small, pine-cone like fruits (from last year’s female flowers) and reddish male catkins (~4” long) in bundles of 3+, which began to release yellowish pollen. This native tree may be one of the first major pollen sources in non-urban areas.
[Alder (probably grey alder) & honey bee] https://mudsongs.org/honey-bee-friendly-flower-unknown/


•Other plants
•Forsythia (Forsythia): https://www.123rf.com/photo_1905359...m-the-first-sun-rays-initiate-the-spring.html
•Japanese butterbur (Petasites japonicus) http://www.stevenfoster.com/photogr...icus/pj/Petasites-japonicus-031156-single.php
•Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) https://www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/26279246222
•Siberian squill (Scilla siberica): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...e045~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Squill.jpg
 
#317 ·
The bees had another pretty good foraging week. They no longer showed interest in pollen sub.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•2/23 - 3/1/20

[A honey bee on Higan cherry]
Flower Plant Blossom Spring Petal


•New blooms

•Azalea / rhododendron (Rhododendron): one of the early bloomers, probably semi-deciduous Korean rhododendron (R. mucronulatum), began to show pink flowers.
[Azalea & honey bee] https://www.flickr.com/photos/90735323@N00/380629792/

•Japanese flowering apricot or plum blossom (Prunus mume): a small deciduous tree or a large shrub. Flowers are white or pink or reddish, five-petaled (maybe double) with long stamens, and appear to be attached directly to the branch with little stem (versus cherries and plums that have visible stems).
[Japanese apricot & honey bee] https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9154

•Purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum): a common weed with pink-purple, two-lipped tubular flowers, opposite leaves, and square stems. Can be mistaken for henbit (L. amplexicaule).
[Purple deadnettle & honey bee] https://honeybeesuite.com/honey-bee-forage-red-deadnettle/

•Pussy willows (Salix spp.): large bushes or small trees with furry, silver-grey buds, from where yellowish catkins are emerging. They may be the native Scouler’s willow (S. scouleriana), or non-native species, such as goat willow (S. caprea) and/or American pussy willow (S. discolor). Oblong leaves will emerge later.
[Scouler’s willow & honey bee] http://science.halleyhosting.com/nature/gorge/tree/broadlf/salix/scouleriana.html

•Other plants
•Fig butercup (Ficaria verna): https://stock.adobe.com/si/images/m...llow-buttercup-flower-ficaria-verna/235066381
•Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...v2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Hyacinthblue.jpg
•Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) or similar non-native aspen species: http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/populus-tremula_apis-mellifera-0
 
#318 ·
The bees brought back pollen from flowering plums and willows.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•3/2 - 3/8/20

•New blooms

•Flowering pear or Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana): a fairly common street tree. White, five-petal flowers and green leaves are emerging. Fruiting pears, such as common pear and Asian pear will bloom later.
[Flowering pear & honey bee] https://www.flickr.com/photos/awsheffield/16511063870

•Western skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus): a native bog plant with a flower stalk surrounded by a showy yellow bract.
[Western skunk cabbage & honey bee] https://honeybeesuite.com/honey-whats-that-smell/

•Other plants
•Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa): http://www.beetography.com/Honey-Bees/1-Western-Honey-Bees/520802_4GWJCz/65016555_jsVMRBx.html
•Grecian windflower (Anemone blanda): https://www.flickr.com/photos/50172980@N08/32666804063
•Snow fountain cherry (Prunus 'Snofozam’): https://honeytreenursery.com/project/snow-fountain-cherry/
•Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata, M. kobus and their hybrids): http://bees.msu.edu/magnolia/
•Wintergreen barberry (Berberis julianae): https://www.die-honigmacher.de/kurs2/pflanze_19.html
 
#319 ·
Flowering plums, red maples and pussy willows came to full bloom. It was a little cold during the past week but the bees had a couple of ~50F afternoons.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•3/9 - 3/15/20

•New blooms

•Boxwood (Buxus): several species and hybrids are commonly used as evergreen hedge plants. They have small, creamy-yellow flowers and shiny, oppositely arranged leaves.
[Boxwood & honey bee] https://honeybeesuite.com/an-act-of-defiance/honey-bee-on-boxwood/

•Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens): an evergreen weed, 2’-3’ tall, with blue, 5-petal flowers and hairy leaves, often found in moist, shady places.
[Green alkanet & honey bee, April 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Leaf Comfrey


•Over-wintered brassicas (Brassica spp.): my over-wintered Takana mustard green (B. juncea var. integrifolia) bolted. I also saw yellow flowers of Brassica plants in my neighbors’ veggie gardens, which may include B.rapa (Chinese cabbage, filed mustard, turnip and etc), B.oleracea (cabbage, kale, broccoli, and etc), and etc.
[Mustard green & honey bee, May 2019]
Flowering plant Flower Mustard plant Plant Bee


•Other plants
•Japanese kerria, Japanese rose (Kerria Japonica): https://www.gartenlexikon.de/ranunkelstrauch/
•Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius): https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/33274/view/whiplash-pollination
•Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis) or similar native willows.
 
#320 ·
We had a week of dry, 55-60F weather. I saw a small number of drones flying for the first time this year.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•3/16 - 3/22/20

[Honey bees on flowering plum and vinca (uncommon)]
Flower Plant Spring Tree Blossom
Flower Flowering plant Plant Bellflower family Bellflower


•New blooms

•Ornamental cherry, cherry blossom (Prunus serrulata, similar species and hybrids): relatively small deciduous trees with prominent horizontal lines on the barks. Flowers are white to pink, originally five-petaled but many cultivars have double flowers. Each petal has a small notch at the tip.
[Cherry blossom & honey bee, April 2019]
Flower Plant Petal Flowering plant Spring


•Sweet osmanthus or tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans): an evergreen ornamental shrub with oppositely arranged leaves and small, white, four-lobed flowers which are very fragrant.
[Sweet osmanthus & honey bee, March 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Tree Woody plant


•Other plants
•Basket of gold (Aurinia saxatilis): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...v2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/basketofgold.jpg
•Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica): http://www.queenannebees.com/2013/04/spring-flowers-arrive-in-abundance.html
•Peach (Prunus persica): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/...ey_bee-Hawea_Pl_Olinda-Maui_(24638050343).jpg
•Rock cress (Aubrieta deltoidea): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Rockcress.jpg
•Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis): https://honeybeesuite.com/native-bee-forage-salmonberry/
•Skimmia (Skimmia japonica): https://www.flickr.com/photos/bienenwabe/2716509324
 
#321 ·
It was mostly cloudy or rainy during the past week. In addition to honey bees, bumble bee queens (Bombus vosnesenskii & B.melanopygus) and bee flies (Bombylius) visited my garden.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•3/23 - 3/29/20

[Honey bees on flowering currant, Siberian squill, and Takana mustard green]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Petal Tree
Flower Flowering plant Plant Scilla Gentian family
Flower Flowering plant Plant Wildflower Evening primrose family


•New blooms

•Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum): an evergreen native shrub commonly used in landscaping, with clusters of small, white-pinkish, urn-shaped flowers.
[Evergreen huckleberry & honey bee, Apr 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Tree Leaf


•Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and ‘Norwegian sunset’ maple (A.truncatum x platanoides): very common street trees with clusters of green-yellow flowers, which are more upright compared with those of bigleaf maples (will bloom very soon).
[Norway maple & honey bee] https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/Stock-Images/Rights-Managed/ZON-7920106

•Weeping willow (Salix babylonica or its hybrid): a common ornamental tree with weeping branches, where numerous catkins are seen along with young leaves.
[Weeping willow & honey bee] https://wadesbees.wordpress.com/category/nectar-and-pollen-sources/

•Other plants
•Leopard's bane (Doronicum): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Leopardbane.jpg
•Poplars (Populus spp.) in full bloom, including black cottonwood (P.trichocarpa), Lombardy poplar (P.*****), and white poplar (P.alba): http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/populus-alba_apis-mellifera-0
•Trillium (Trillium): http://honeypiehivesherbals.blogspot.com/2012/05/?m=0
 
#322 ·
Bigleaf maples began to bloom. We put a honey super on.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•3/30 - 4/5/20

•Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum): one of the most common deciduous trees of the Pacific Northwest and our first major nectar source (weather permitting), starting to show hanging clusters of greenish-yellow flowers. Its leaves (not emerged yet) are the largest of all maples, 6 - 12” across.
[Big-leaf maple & honey bee, April 2019]
Tree Nature Branch Sky Vegetation


•Common (European) pear (Pyrus communis) and Asian pear (P. pyrifolia): Each flower has five white petals, several purple anthers, and several styles. Flowering pear (P. calleryana) has passed its peak.
[Common pear & honey bee] https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-pyrus-communis-pear-tree-with-bee-147283675.html
[Asian pear & honey bee] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pyrus_pyrifolia_(Shinko)_pollinated_by_Apis_mellifera_10.jpg

•Other plants

•Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bluebell_honeybee_pollination.jpg
•Tulip (Tulipa): https://pxhere.com/en/photo/637964
 
#323 ·
The weather was exceptionally nice during the past week. Maples, cherries and dandelions are blooming everywhere.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•4/6 - 4/12/20

[A bumble bee on bigleaf maple flowers]
Plant Flower Flowering plant Tree Heracleum (plant)


•New blooms

•Flowering crabapples (Malus species and hybrids): small ornamental trees often planted along residential streets. White, pink, or red flowers are five-petaled (may be double) and leaves are green or purple. The orchard apple (M.pumila) will bloom very soon.
[Flowering crabapple & honey bee, April 2019]
Flower Petal Plant Spring Blossom


•Cherry laurel or English laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): a very common evergreen hedge plant with large, glossy, alternate leaves and showy upright clusters of small, white, 5-petaled flowers which are very fragrant. Highly invasive and often found in woodlands as a multi-stem bush or a single trunk tree. Dwarf varieties may bloom again in late summer. Another common cherry laurel, Portuguese laurel (P.lusitanica) will bloom in late May - June.
[Cherry laurel & honey bee, May 2019]
Flower Plant Flowering plant Tree Lemon myrtle


•Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) and sweet cherry (P.avium): deciduous trees with white, 5-petaled flowers and green leaves. Each flower petal has a notch at the tip and the barks show horizontal lines. Similar looking escaped plants are commonly found in my neighborhood.
[Sour cherry & honey bee, April 2019]
Plant Flower Tree Branch Twig


•Vine maple (Acer circinatum): a small native tree or a large shrub, starting to show clusters of small flowers, dark reddish outside, greenish yellow inside. It is often found in the forest understory but also used for landscaping.
[Vine maple & honey bee, April 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Leaf Tree


•Other plants

•Box elder (Acer negundo): https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/honey-bee-collect-pollen-acer-negundo-611890688

•California lilac, blue blossom or ceanothus (Ceanothus): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Ceanothus.jpg

•Common plum (Prunus domestica): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/plumcommon.jpg

•Japanese maple (Acer palmatum): https://photos.app.goo.gl/MazdS2PqLNYX1P1LA

•Honesty or money plant (Lunaria annua): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/moneyplant.jpg

•Red barberry (Berberis thunbergii): https://frantisek.rudik.eu/?attachment_id=4457

•Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris): https://www.researchgate.net/figure...s-A-mature-flower-B-P-vulgaris_fig1_315897068

•Serviceberry or shadbush (Amelanchier): http://www.ourhabitatgarden.org/creatures/bees-food-spring.html

•Yellow archangel or golden deadnettle (Lamium galeobdolon): https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZUwoPCX89ag5nt2A7

•Yellow rocket cress or winter cress (Barbarea vulgaris): http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/barbarea-vulgaris_apis-mellifera
 
#324 ·
It seems that the peak of this year’s maple flow has passed, although many bigleaf and vine maple trees are still in bloom in shadier locations. Unlike last year, the weather was very cooperative during the flow (see below for 2020 maple flow recap).

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•4/13 - 4/19/20

•New blooms

•Bitter cherry or Oregon cherry (Prunus emarginata): a native cherry shrub/tree with flat-topped clusters of 5 - 12, white or pinkish, 5-petaled flowers. The bark is reddish brown with horizontal lines.
[Bitter cherry & honey bee] http://science.halleyhosting.com/nature/gorge/5petal/rose/prunus/bitter.htm

•Pacific willow (Salix lasiandra, aka Salix lucida var. lasiandra): A large native shrub or a small to medium sized tree, often found in wet places, with lance-shaped, shiny leaves. Yellow male catkins are loaded with pollen.
[Pacific willow & honey bee, May 2019]
Tree Vegetation Plant Woody plant Branch


•Orchard apple (Malus pumila): a small tree with 5-petaled, white flowers tinged with pink. Apple blossoms may be confused with cherry and pear blossoms (how to tell apples from cherries and pears, http://drmgoeswild.com/malus-pyrus-prunus/).
[Orchard apple & honey bee, April 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Honeybee Plant Bee


•Other plants

•Bugle (Ajuga reptans): https://photos.app.goo.gl/t3Gm3THXyfQ75BWW8

•Columbine (Aquilegia): https://artandkitchen.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/honey-bee-and-columbine-flower-pollen-2/

•Mexican orange (Choisya ternata and Choisya x dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl'): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/....jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Mexicanorange2.jpg

•Mountain bluet, perennial cornflower (Centaurea montana): https://photos.app.goo.gl/UH79XUHkVvYf4U8Y7

•Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum): https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/invest_in_pollination_for_success_with_highbush_blueberries

•Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii, with 6 bracts) and flowering dogwood (C.florida, with 4 bracts): https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS/photos/a.156902234358067/1670537009661241/?type=3&theater

•Privet honeysuckle, box-leaved honeysuckle (Lonicera pileata): https://www.flickr.com/photos/bienenwabe/41651188875

•Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa): http://www.florabeilles.org/terme/sambucus-racemosa-0

•Sea thrift (Armeria maritima): http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/armeria-maritima_apis-mellifera-0

•Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa): https://www.lockhaven.com/news/outd...llination-is-a-complex-and-a-tricky-business/

********************************
2020 maple flow recap

The relevant maple species in my neighborhood are the two natives, the bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) and the vine maple (A.circinatum), the former being much more abundant. Norway maples (A.platanoides cultivars and hybrids) may have contributed to the flow as well. Some cherry species also came to full bloom around this time.

Apparent full blooms came around;
Norway maples (early blooming varieties), 4/4
Bigleaf maples, 4/10
Escaped plants that look like sour/sweet cherries, 4/15
Vine maples, 4/15

Broodminder hive scale was set under one of my hives. The colony was not super-strong, led by a third-year Carniolan queen. The hive was placed in a half-shade location. The single most productive day of this colony was 4/9/20 (3.26 lb gain/day), the most productive 3-day period was 4/8 - 4/10 (2.34 lb/day), and the 7-day period was 4/9 - 4/15 (1.5 lb/day).

As of 4/17, the nectar was not capped, much of which was still stored in the outer frames of the brood chamber. We will wait for a month or so to do the first honey extraction, after apple and hawthorn blooms (and before black locusts, tulip poplars, and blackberries).
 
#325 ·
Honey bees, bumble bees, orchard mason bees, and many other insects worked on various flowers.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•4/20 - 4/26/20
[A honey bee on Tuscan kale]
Flower Plant Yellow Flowering plant Rapeseed


•New blooms

•Cascara buckthorn (Rhamnus purshiana): a native deciduous shrub or a small tree, with alternate, oval, glossy green leaves with prominent veins and clusters of small, greenish-yellow, cup-shaped, and 5-petaled flowers .
[Cascara & honey bee, May 2019]
Tree Plant Woody plant Leaf Flower


•Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna): a small deciduous tree with small lobed leaves and clusters of small, 5-petaled flowers (maybe double) which may be white, pink, or red. Highly invasive and many escaped plants, mostly with white flowers, are found in my neighborhood.
[Common hawthorn & honey bee, May 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Shrub Nannyberry


•English holly (Ilex aquifolium): a highly invasive evergreen shrub/tree, with shiny, spiny alternate leaves and clusters of small white flowers. Female plants bear bright red (maybe yellow) fruits in fall.
[Holly & honey bee] http://abugblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/tree-bees-1-holly.html

•European mountain-ash or rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia): a small deciduous tree with ash-like compound leaves and flat-topped clusters of white, 5-petaled flowers. Many escapes are found in my neighborhood.
[Mountain-ash & honey bee, May 2018]
Flower Plant Tree Meadowsweet Viburnum


•Red osier dogwood, red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea): A native deciduous shrub often found in wetlands and also used in landscaping. It has red or yellow barks, opposite leaves, and flat-topped clusters of small, white, 4-petaled flowers. It blooms again in mid summer.
[Red osier dogwood & honey bee, May 2018]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Leaf Tree


•Other plants

•Annual sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus): https://www.ultravioletphotography....ceus-annual-sow-thistle/page__pid__14#entry14

•Astrantia (Astrantia major): https://trogtrogblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/bees-on-astrantia.html

•Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis): http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/laurus-nobilis_apis-mellifera-0

•California poppy (Eschscholzia californica): https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=13179

•Camas (Camassia): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honey_bee_on_camas_4.jpg

•Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana): https://neighborhoodgreening.org/saving-our-bees-by-heather-holm/heatherminingbeechokecherry-1/

•Golden chain tree (Laburnum anagyroides or its hybrid): http://beespoke.info/2016/06/02/bee-flowers-june/

•Red valerian (Centranthus ruber): http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/centranthus-ruber_apis-mellifera

•Redbud (Cercis): https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/plant..._is_good_for_bees_and_other_beneficial_insect

•Salal (Gaultheria shallon): https://emswcd.org/nature-notes-5/salal-honey-bee/

•Siberian wallflower (Erysimum x marshallii): https://photos.app.goo.gl/y8koQT5TVEPATQXs5

•Spanish lavender or French lavender (Lavendula stoechas): https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-h...-mellifera-on-a-french-lavender-31586497.html

•Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum): http://beefotoblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/subterranean-clover.html

•Vetch (Vicia spp.): http://peacebeefarm.blogspot.com/2009/05/vetch-in-bloom.html

•Whitetop or hoary cress (Lepidium draba): http://www.florabeilles.org/terme/lepidium-draba-0

•Wisteria (Wisteria): https://photos.app.goo.gl/KYfTusjxuhPuNCn2A
 
#326 ·
In the past week, the bees brought back pollen from vine maple, apple/hawthorn, cherry, cherry laurel, camellia, holly, bluebell, dandelion, spruce, and etc (as determined by availabilities, colors, and microscopic images).

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•4/27 - 5/3/20
[Honey bees on apple and green alkanet]
Flower Plant Bee Honeybee Flowering plant
Flower Flowering plant Plant Insect Pollinator


•New blooms

•Black hawthorn or Douglas hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii): a native shrub/tree with thorns, toothed leaves and clusters of white, 5-petaled flowers. In my neighborhood, it is much less common than the invasive common hawthorn (C. monogyna, see post #325).
[Black hawthorn & honey bee] https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=34373

•Horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum): a medium to large-sized tree with upright clusters of white flowers and palmately compound leaves with seven leaflets. Many escapes are found in my neighborhood. Red horse chestnut (A × carnea) has red-purple flowers.
[Horse-chestnut & honey bee] https://www.flickr.com/photos/ bienenwabe/13983618827

•Pacific blackberry, dewberry, or trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus): a native blackberry with 5-petaled white flowers, prickles, and compound leaves that have three leaflets. Larger and much more robust invasive species, Himalayan blackberry (R. armeniacus, our major nectar source) will bloom later.
[Pacific blackberry & honey bee] http://nativefoodsnursery.com/berries/pacific-blackberry/

•Other plants

•Blue star creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis): https://photos.app.goo.gl/QHAVi3EkzNxsJWVQ7

•Burning bush, winged spindle (Euonymus alatus): https://photos.app.goo.gl/uPgfQEp1c95sVwJa7

•Chive (Allium schoenoprasum): https://photos.app.goo.gl/EvnfWu6sENALoHfn7

•Common rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium): http://www.florabeilles.org/terme/helianthemum-nummularium-0

•Nipplewort (Lapsana communis): https://photos.app.goo.gl/A9XaHdZTcd2k7TcA8

•Oak (Quercus): https://www.flickr.com/photos/29697818@N03/26482275780/

•Pacific waterleaf (Hydrophyllum tenuipes): https://www.honeybeesuite.com/honey-bee-forage-pacific-waterleaf/

•Paulownia, empress tree, princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa): https://www.flickr.com/photos/paprtala/14279970516

•Peony (Paeonia): https://www.shutterstock.com/it/video/clip-6306524-bees-gather-pollen-peony-flower-full-bloom

•Photinia (Photinia): https://photos.app.goo.gl/c4fLH3KDwcm2uFbJ7

•Shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa aka Potentilla fruticosa): https://www.flickr.com/photos/conall/44248150835

•Spiderwort (Tradescantia): https://www.researchgate.net/figure...wort-Tradescantia-virginiana-L_fig1_229135314

•Sweetgum (Liquidambar): https://www.flickr.com/photos/40132175@N06/9552869224/

•Watercress (Nasturtium officinale): http://www.florabeilles.org/terme/nasturtium-officinale-0
 
#327 ·
The bees started swarm preparation (intercepted).

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•5/4 - 5/10/20

•New blooms

•Cat’s ear or false dandelion (Hypochaeris radicata): looks like a dandelion, but the stems look longer and wiry, and the leaves are hairy.
[Cat’s ear & honey bee, July 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Flatweed Crepis paludosa


•Dutch white clover (Trifolium repens): a common lawn weed and one of the few clovers that honey bees like.
[Dutch white clover & honey bee, June 2018]
Flower Flowering plant Dutch clover Plant hybrid clover


•Rockrose (Cistus): an evergreen ornamental shrub with rose-like 5-petaled flowers, white or pink, which may have a dark red spot at the base of each petal. The leaves are green or silvery green, soft, and oppositely arranged.
[White rockrose & honey bee, June 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Petal Rose

[Pink rockrose & honey bee, May 2018]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Petal Insect


•Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa): an imported ‘wild rose’ often used in landscaping. Flowers are 5-pataled (maybe double), dark pink, pink, or white. Its pinnately compound leaves are distinctly corrugated compared with other wild roses.
[Rugosa rose & honey bee, June 2018]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Petal Rosa rugosa


•Other plants

•Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Asparagus.jpg

•Bachelor's button (Centaurea cyanus): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/bachelorsbutton.jpg

•Beauty bush (Linnaea amabilis): https://photos.app.goo.gl/ajUbLR3gt5jatxew9

•Blue flax (Linum): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Blueflax2.jpg

•Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica): https://rcannon992.com/2018/05/13/asian-honey-bees-on-calla-lilies/

•Chokeberry (Aronia): https://depositphotos.com/158938390/stock-photo-bee-on-aronia-melanocarpa-flower.html

•Cranberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus): https://photos.app.goo.gl/AmUV4eX7QHg2MVfW6

•Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum): https://photos.app.goo.gl/iJSinXzow1vBqsa99

•English thyme (Thymus vulgaris): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...v2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/ThymeEnglish.jpg

•Gold flash broom (Genista pilosa): http://www.florabeilles.org/terme/genista-pilosa-0

•Ice plant (Delosperma cooperi): https://www.alamy.com/bee-gathering-honey-from-pink-flower-delosperma-cooperi-image62368847.html

•Raspberry (Rubus idaeus or similar species): https://photos.app.goo.gl/G9bGaE1CXxTHcmhA6

•Red hot poker, torch lily (Kniphofia): https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=13991

•Spider flower (Grevillea): https://www.flickr.com/photos/burtonandy/13988068817

•Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus): https://www.reddit.com/r/bees/comments/bqz3eb/thimble_berry_flower/

•Weigela (Weigela): https://www.flickr.com/photos/refmo/2525995595/

•Woodland sage (Salvia nemorosa or Salvia x sylvestris): https://photos.app.goo.gl/VzEvYc8xUPzsMCXMA

•Yellow pond-lily (Nuphar): https://www.flickr.com/photos/jav61photography/43418931034
 
#328 ·
The bees collected lots of nectar during the past 10 days or so. Hawthorn pollen was frequently found in the hives.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•5/11 - 5/17/20

[Honey bees on cascara buckthorn and common hawthorn]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Leaf Tree
Flower Flowering plant Plant Tree Woody plant


•New blooms

•Black locust or false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia): a large shrub or a tree (up to 100’) with thorns, pinnately compound leaves, and showy hanging clusters of white flowers. Native to the southern U.S, it is considered an invasive plant here. Last year, the peak pollen flow (judged by pollen found in my hives) took place several days after the visual full bloom (the peak nectar flow was not clear because it overlapped with that of the tulip poplar).
[Black locust & honey bee] http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/robinia-pseudoacacia_apis-mellifera

•Lavalle hawthorn or hybrid cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus x lavallei): a fairly common street tree in residential areas, with dark green, serrated leaves and clusters of 5-petaled white flowers, which later produce orange-red fruits.
[Lavalle hawthorn & honey bee, May 2019]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Viburnum Moschatel family


•Other plants

•Baby sage (Salvia microphylla): https://photos.app.goo.gl/LYZ7gXzswjwZHTn69

•Bearberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Cotoneasterbearberry.jpg

•Bishop's weed, ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria): https://www.istockphoto.com/ae/phot...erb-gerard-bishops-weed-gm598129676-102513261

•Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala): http://www.fossenvironmentalconsult...h-fauna-photographs/a-heavy-pollen-load-.html

•Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale): https://www.naturepl.com/stock-phot...ting-its-proboscis-through-image01556077.html

•Culinary sage, common sage (Salvia officinalis): https://www.flickr.com/photos/41084246@N00/34642285241

•Daylily (Hemerocallis): https://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/breeding-urban-plant-warriors/

•English plantain, ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/PlantainEnglish.jpg

•Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): https://www.flickr.com/photos/texaseagle/3332562266

•Garden roses (Rosa spp.): https://photos.app.goo.gl/h5JD9QDJAe2qnPwB8

•Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica, not a true hawthorn): https://www.flickr.com/photos/yerakh/4481946431/

•Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa): https://www.pinterest.com/pin/180777372528015704/

•Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...f3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Ninebark.jpg

•Pittosporum (Pittosporum): https://photos.app.goo.gl/QUNzG3bh6uTGdXua6

•Rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis): http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/cotoneaster-horizontalis_apis-mellifera

•Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/detail/natural-world/antirrhinum-majus-snapdragon/

•Smooth hawkweed or similar species (Hieracium laevigatum?): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Hawkweed2.jpg

•Stars of Persia (Allium cristophii): https://photos.app.goo.gl/Eg8hcEryeGL6tHeA7

•Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...378~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Alyssum.jpg

•Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana): https://terrythormin.smugmug.com/In...ts/Honey-Bees-and-Bumble-Bees-etc/i-cVfXqkv/A

•Windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei): https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/b...m-tree-flowers-close-up-gm584770844-100166029

•Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus): https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a...on-its-legs-feeds-from-a-yellow-76598946.html
 
#329 ·
It was somewhat chilly and rained often during the past week. The black locust bloom slowly progressed. I also began to find some flowers on tulip poplar trees and blackberry bushes. See below for May 2020 nectar flow recap.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•5/18 - 5/24/20

[Honey bees on garden plants; columbine, sea thrift, Indian hawthorn, burning bush, and rhododendron]
Flower Flowering plant Plant Petal beardtongue
Flower Flowering plant Plant Pink Petal
Flowering plant Flower Honeybee Bee Plant
Plant Flower Flowering plant Tree Insect
Flower Flowering plant Plant Petal Purple


New blooms

•Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus): a clover-like plant with yellow flowers.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/.../v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Birdsfoot trefoil2.jpg

•Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus): one of the major nectar sources in my area, probably #1 in most years. It is a robust, thicket forming, thorny shrub with white or pinkish 5-petaled flowers and compound leaves with five leaflets (three on younger stems). In some areas, cutleaf evergreen blackberry (R. laciniatus) may be more common, which looks similar to the Himalayan except that each of five leaflets is further divided.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Blackberry2.jpg

•Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus) a small ornamental tree sometimes planted along residential streets, with numerous, white, bell-shaped flowers.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/warpfactor/27186704265/

•Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus): a native shrub, 3’ - 6’ tall, with oppositely arranged, oval or irregularly lobed leaves. Small, bell-shaped, pink flowers later turn into white berries.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Snowberry3.jpg

•Tulip poplar, tulip tree, or yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera): a fairly common landscaping tree, up to 150’ tall, with 4-lobed, heart-shaped leaves and greenish yellow, tulip-like flowers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puh_-raPy2A

Other plants

•Bird's eyes (Gilia tricolor): https://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=451

•Black elder (Sambucus *****): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...pg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Blackelderberry1.jpg

•Common poppy (Papaver rhoeas): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Poppycommonpink.jpg

•Eastern ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’): https://depositphotos.com/176155604/stock-photo-a-bee-on-a-flower.html

•Escallonia (Escallonia x exoniensis): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/.../v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Escalloniacompakta.jpg

•Meadow sage (Salvia pratensis): https://www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/28207283398

•Mock orange (Philadelphus): http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/philadelphus-coronarius_apis-mellifera

•Morning glory or hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium): https://photos.app.goo.gl/EPsqweVPeGAwnWoL6

•Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora): https://www.alamy.com/western-honey...ra-toronto-ontario-canada-image240063187.html

•Northern willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/willowherb.jpg

•Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale): https://photos.app.goo.gl/3rttgUSdmytYKbws7

•Pot marigold (Calendula): https://photos.app.goo.gl/2KnjqK9npBrhZ9Fu5

•Rozanne cranesbill (Geranium ‘Rozanne’): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...8c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Geranium.jpg

•Smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria): http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/cotinus-coggygria_apis-mellifera

•Tupelo, sour gum (Nyssa sylvatica): https://www.beeculture.com/hard-times-for-tupelo-honey/

•White stonecrop (Sedum album): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Sedumalbum2.jpg

*************************************************************
May 2020 nectar flow recap

We had quite a few sunny, very warm days during early-mid May. A Broodminder hive scale was placed under one of my hives, housing a strong Carniolan colony from which the queen was removed on 5/1 for swarm prevention. The most productive 7-day period was 5/9 - 5/15 (average 3.57 lb gain per day). During this period, popular pollen species found in this and other hives were hawthorn (28%), horse chestnut (8%), camellia (8%), and vine maple (8%).
 
#330 ·
Black locust trees came to full bloom.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•5/25 - 5/31/20

Honey bees on white rock-rose, bigroot geranium, bearberry cotoneaster, Lavalle hawthorn, and English cherry laurel (leaf nectaries)

Flower Flowering plant Petal Plant Bee
Flower Flowering plant Plant Tree Shrub
Flower Flowering plant Plant Tree mock orange
Flower Flowering plant Plant Leaf Tree
Leaf Plant Flower Insect Organism


New blooms

•English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): an aromatic evergreen shrub with spikes of small, pinkish-purple flowers.
https://www.mindenpictures.com/sear...ng-english-lavender-lavandula/0_00522172.html

•Portuguese cherry laurel (Prunus lusitanica): a common evergreen hedge plant, maybe grown as a small tree, with shiny, alternate leaves and 5”-10” long clusters of small, white, 5-petaled flowers. Another common cherry laurel, English cherry laurel (P. laurocerasus), finished blooming several weeks ago, but I saw quite a few honey bees, bumble bees, and other insects on its leaves for extra-floral nectaries (see above).
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...ill/w_1920,h_1080/CherrylaurelPorrtuguese.jpg


Other plants

•Beardtongues (Penstemon): https://ucanr.edu/blogs/bugsquad/index.cfm?tagname=Penstemon x Mexicali
•Firethorn (Pyracantha): https://www.flickr.com/photos/bienenwabe/3485002665
•Franchet's cotoneaster and/or similar species (Cotoneaster franchetii): https://photos.app.goo.gl/aPM54xheh1yVc5Yg6
•Garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): https://photos.app.goo.gl/REJvM8uFJ4m8bGWr7
•Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa): https://photos.app.goo.gl/igciEJpobcfyMxNm9
•Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos): https://pixabay.com/photos/bees-honey-bee-bee-insect-blossom-5196995/
•Japanese euonymus or evergreen spindle (Euonymus japonicus): https://photos.app.goo.gl/8dMhMo2kpWHwkt4UA
•Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica): https://www.flickr.com/photos/63394592@N08/45269425125
•Japanese meadowsweet, Japanese spiraea (Spiraea japonica): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Japanesemeadowsweet2.jpg
•Peach-leaved bellflower (Campanula persicifolia): https://www.flickr.com/photos/bienenwabe/4290277134
•Purple toadflax (Linaria purpurea): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...b4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Toadflax.jpg
•Queen Ann’s lace, wild carrot (Daucus carota): https://wildpollinators-pollinisate...honeybees-and-wild-bees-problematic-dynamics/
•Santa Barbara daisy, Mexican fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus): https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/b...y-erigeron-karvinskianus-gm136970757-18880876
•Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata or V. longifolia or a similar hybrid): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Speedwell.jpg
 
#331 ·
We had another week of cool weather (high temps <70F). The black locust bloom is pretty much done. Tulip poplars and blackberries are in bloom.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•6/1 - 6/7/20

[Honey bees on Japanese snowbell, Pacific ninebark, multiflora rose, mock orange, and Chinese photinia]

Flower Flowering plant Plant Tree Petal
Flower Plant Insect Flowering plant Pollinator
Flower Flowering plant Plant Cinquefoil Petal
Flowering plant Flower Bee Honeybee Plant
Flowering plant Flower Plant Tree Woody plant


New blooms

•Chinese photinia, prostrate Chinese stranvaesia (Photinia davidiana aka Stranvaesia davidiana): a large ornamental shrub 10’-15’ tall (some varieties may be much smaller) with alternate, dark green, 2 -3” long, and somewhat wavy leaves. Clusters of small, white, 5-petaled flowers will turn into red berries that linger to the end of winter. Honey bees seem to like it much better than the red-tip photinia (Photinia x fraseri, a very popular hedge plant) which pretty much finished blooming.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dfa83a_bc9e67822d4b448993ea85d609e7ca84~mv2.jpg

•Privet (Ligustrum): privet species and varieties are often used as hedge plants. They have oval, glossy green (maybe variegated), oppositely arranged leaves, and conical clusters of small, white, 4-petaled, and stinking flowers. Ones with smaller leaves (<1” long) began to bloom. Other varieties will bloom over the next month or so.
https://www.alamy.com/european-hone...n-privet-flower-with-full-image156364646.html

•St John's-wort (Hypericum): creeping St. John's wort (aka Aaron's beard, H.calycinum) is a ground cover (~1’ tall) often used on sunny slopes. It has oval to oblong leaves and large (2-3” diameter), 5-petaled, yellow flowers with many long stamens. Common St. John's wort (H.perforatum), often found on roadsides, is taller (2-3’), and has smaller (1”) flowers.
[Creeping St John’s wort] https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/StJohn'swortcreeping.jpg
[Common St John’s wort] https://static.wixstatic.com/media/.../v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Stjohn'swortcommon.jpg

•Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum): a small ornamental tree with lobed leaves and clusters of small, white, 5-petaled flowers. This is the last hawthorn to bloom in my neighborhood.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/.../v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Hawthornwashington.jpg

Other plants

•Blanket flower (Gaillardia): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Blanketflower.jpg
•Box-leaved holly or Japanese holly (Ilex crenata): https://photos.app.goo.gl/DvZFh5hmBByLGGS97
•Blue spruce sedum (Sedum reflexum 'Blue Spruce’): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Sedumbluespruce.jpg
•Borage (Borago officinalis): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...401~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Borage1.jpg
•California buckeye (Aesculus californica): https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=18220
•Daisy bush (Brachyglottis greyi): https://www.alamy.com/european-hone...hshire-wales-uk-june-image263027828.html?pv=1
•Deutzia (Deutzia): https://www.flickr.com/photos/bienenwabe/7189339667
•French hydrangea, lacecap hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla): https://photos.app.goo.gl/xbK5zYF2qiSizriE6
•Hardy dwarf citruses, such as yuzu and sudachi (Citrus junos and C.sudachi): http://db.bee-happy.jp/ユズ/
•Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata): https://photos.app.goo.gl/taQiybUG9QMa2gby9
•Larkspur (Delphinium): https://www.shutterstock.com/it/image-photo/macro-honey-bee-collecting-pollen-on-1608695212
•Ocean spray (Holodiscus discolor): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Oceanspray.jpg
•Scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus): https://photos.app.goo.gl/wc3wJVDSjuC6CJbK8
•Yucca (Yucca): https://photos.app.goo.gl/sMLQJSH9QwqLR3Xm9
 
#333 ·
In the past week, the bees went foraging between frequent showers. As of today, blackberries in sunny locations and tulip poplars appeared to be in near-full bloom.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•6/8 - 6/14/20

[Honey bees on Japanese euonymus, Japanese meadowsweet, Kousa dogwood, Franchett’s cotoneaster, and creeping St.John’s wort]

Flower Plant Leaf Tree Flowering plant
Flower Plant Spotted Joe pye Weed Flowering plant Insect
Flower Petal Plant Bee Flowering plant
Flower Flowering plant Plant Leaf Impatiens
Flower Flowering plant Hypericaceae Plant perforate st john's wort


New blooms

•Evergreen magnolia or southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora): a small to medium sized ornamental tree with glossy green leaves and large, white flowers. My bees often bring back its pollen throughout summer.
https://www.thepaintboxgarden.com/p...llen-colour-ivory-white-magnolia-grandiflora/

•Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium): a wildflower 2’-5’ tall, with lance shaped leaves and long stalks carrying many 4-petaled flowers, pink or red-purple. Mono-floral fireweed honey may be harvested in mountains/foothills.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YxEebgwKtBoGbEun6

•Japanese stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia): an ornamental shrub or a small tree with white, camellia-like flowers.
https://www.shadetreefarm.com/2013/06/24/trees-we-love-japanese-stewartia/

•Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): a medium to large ornamental shrub, 3’ - 12’ tall, with large leaves which show 3, 5 or 7 pointed lobes. Cone-shaped flower clusters are 6–12” long, carrying many creamy-white, tiny and fertile flowers as well as larger and sterile flowers.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...pg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Hydrangeaoakleaf.jpg

•Yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) and white sweet clover (Melilotus albus): annual or biennial weeds (may be used as hay or cover crops), 2-7' tall, with trifoliate leaves and up to 6” long stalks that carry dozens of small flowers. They are rare in my neighborhood but may have been in bloom for a while in other locations.
[Yellow sweet clover] https://www.123rf.com/photo_8323602...low-flowers-of-clover-on-a-summer-meadow.html
[White sweet clover] https://www.shutterstock.com/it/image-photo/honey-bee-on-white-sweet-clover-1161101470


Other plants

•Elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata): https://photos.app.goo.gl/eXau8fr3Kv1sjc9M7
•Globe gilia (Gilia capitata): https://www.pacificbeachcoalition.org/plants-flowers-rich-in-nectar-pollen/gilia-capitata/
•Glossy abelia (Linnaea × grandiflora aka Abelia × grandiflora): https://photos.app.goo.gl/dsXbndM91EnycL6K6
•Hoary mugwort, Dusty Miller (Artemisia stelleriana):https://www.istockphoto.com/au/phot...adybug-and-a-honey-bee-gm1129606593-298460826
•Hollyhock (Alcea): https://photos.app.goo.gl/TaVkPZnnGZNnaJcx6
•Mullein (Verbascum thapsus): https://www.123rf.com/photo_46499686_verbascum-thapsus-great-mullein-and-bee.html
•Purpletop vervain (Verbena bonariensis): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...c8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Verbena3.jpg
•Red dragon knotweed (Persicaria microcephala ‘red dragon’): https://photos.app.goo.gl/VCocKTuVY4e1Q9G47
•Single-flowered dahlia (Dahlia): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...ebf7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/dhalia.jpg
•Stinking iris, Gladwin iris (Iris foetidissima): https://www.flickr.com/photos/63394592@N08/31887196918
•Water parsley (Oenanthe sarmentosa): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...v2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Waterparsley.jpg
•Yellow meadow rue (Thalictrum flavum): http://neighbors.denverpost.com/album_pic.php?pic_id=12602
 
#334 ·
For the first time since blackberries started, the bees had several consecutive days of dry & warm weather. In general, this year’s summer flowers are delayed by 1 - 2 weeks compared with last year.

[Honey bees on Himalayan blackberry, Washington hawthorn, staghorn sumac (female), and ‘Pink princess’ escallonia]
Honeybee Insect Bee Pollinator Membrane-winged insect
Flower Plant Tree Flowering plant Woody plant
Plant Flower Tree Bee Flowering plant
Flower Flowering plant Plant Tree Petal


•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•6/15 - 6/21/20

New blooms

•Late, milkflower or parney cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus): a large ornamental shrub, 6’ - 12’ tall, with leathery, alternate leaves, dark green on the top side and fuzzy whitish beneath. Clusters of small, white, 5-petaled flowers produce showy red berries in fall, which persist into winter.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/P45gAKdbtV1KSiY76

•Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina); an ornamental shrub or a small tree, with pinnately compound leaves, hairy stems, and erect clusters of tiny, greenish flowers. Female plants later produce reddish, pyramidal fruiting clusters. Quite a few escapes are found in my neighborhood. Similar-looking smooth sumac (R. glabra) with hairless stems may be native in some areas.
[Staghorn sumac, male] https://photos.app.goo.gl/zXxbsEANRhAh1b5y7

•Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima): an invasive tree which can grow to 60’-80’ tall, with pinnately compound leaves and erect clusters of small, greenish flowers. Smaller trees may look like sumacs.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1br7mhgkGe3Z5yGJ7

Other plants

•Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus): https://photos.app.goo.gl/QJ9jg8DSAyMZvC6B8
•Chinese forget-me-not (Cynoglossum amabile): https://photos.app.goo.gl/1FKADuxrDaVBcsnx8
•Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...a9da~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/cosmos.jpg
•Hosta, plantain lily (Hosta): http://bythedrop.com/gallery/insects/bees-and-wasps/Bee-In-Purple-Hosta-Flower
•Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...f94c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Hyssop.jpg
•Mouse garlic (Allium angulosum): https://photos.app.goo.gl/tbkZ6Bp43V6i9rV96
•Musk mallow (Malva moschata): https://www.geograph.ie/photo/521601
•Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...g/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/coneflowerorange2.jpg
•Persimmon (Diospyros kaki): http://ehonnooka.com/wp-content/uploads/20130528mitubati_kaki3.jpg
•Silver lace vine, Russian vine (Fallopia baldschuanica): https://photos.app.goo.gl/R76ykFnELfJvq63TA
 
#335 ·
The bees had several great foraging days and collected lots of nectar. Blackberries in shady locations came to full bloom.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•6/22 - 6/28/20

[Honey bees on yellow sweet clover, Dutch white clover, privet, late cotoneaster, and English lavender]

Flower Plant Flowering plant Pollinator Insect
Flower Flowering plant Plant Leaf Herb
Flower Tree Plant Flowering plant Woody plant
Flower Plant Tree Flowering plant Woody plant
Flower Flowering plant French lavender Lavender English lavender


New blooms

•American chestnut (Castanea dentata): a medium to large sized tree with long serrated leaves and slender male catkins. It is not native here but sometimes planted in large yards.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hkk1Y7SBaPgb6oSc7

•Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense): a perennial weed, 3’ -5’ tall, with pink flowerheads and alternate leaves that are lobed and spiny.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/7R2z3cpw4VzSug7f6

•Douglas' spirea, hardhack, rose spirea (Spiraea douglasii): a native shrub, 2’ - 6’ tall, with alternate leaves and erect, pointed clusters of numerous rosy-pink flowers.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/hardhack1.jpg

•Linden, lime tree, basswood (Tilia): fairly common landscaping trees, with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant, yellow-green flowers in hanging clusters. At least three species, little-leaf linden (T. cordata), white basswood (T. heterophylla), and American linden (T. americana), none of which is native here, are seen in my neighborhood.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/y6oBVVtSP9xXk1hY9

•Russian sage (Salvia yangii aka Perovskia atriplicifolia): a perennial plant 2’-4’ tall, with finely-dissected, gray-green leaves and numerous, blue to violet flowers on branched flower stems.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...v2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Russiansage2.jpg

Other plants

•Bee balm (Monarda): https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedsla/19401502801
•Buckwheat (Fagopyrum): http://tcf.bh.cornell.edu/imgs/kcn2/na/Polygonaceae_Fagopyrum_esculentum_7226.html
•Butterfly bush (Buddleia): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Buterflybush1.jpg
•Chicory, radicchio (Cichorium intybus): https://photos.app.goo.gl/VNT8qqAN5TJfeWzg7
•Coriander, cilantro (Coriandrum sativum): https://beaconcommodities.com/bees-and-english-coriander/
•Crocosmia, montbretia, coppertips (Crocosmia x curtonus 'Lucifer’): https://photos.app.goo.gl/pkVYegDS5W3G2hrS7
•Echinops (Echinops): https://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=1677
•Edging lobelia, garden lobelia (Lobelia erinus): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...dd9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/lobelia.jpg
•Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...pg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/eveningprimrose1.jpg
•False spirea (Sorbaria sorbifolia): https://photos.app.goo.gl/8BuLm21KhQqPxkBY8
•Red bistort, mountain fleece (Bistora amplexicaulis): https://photos.app.goo.gl/fvJgi7eX1PHMdSPx9
•Summer squash, zucchini (Cucurbita pepo): https://photos.app.goo.gl/9bPgshwGWGK2pKiG9
 
#336 ·
The bees did not do very well earlier in the past week, due to cool temperatures and frequent morning showers. The weather improved later and they brought in lots of pollen from chestnut, blackberry, privet, and etc.

•Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

•6/28 - 7/5/20

[Honey bees on bachelor’s button, globe gilia, verbena, white sedum, and tree mallow]

Flower Flowering plant Plant Purple Wildflower
Flower Flowering plant Plant Subshrub Bellflower family
Flower Flowering plant Plant Purple buddleia
Plant Flower Organism Non-vascular land plant Moss
Flower Flowering plant Plant Petal Pink


New blooms

•Catalpa (Catalpa): a medium-sized ornamental tree, with showy clusters of white, orchid-like flowers.
https://www.michiganbees.org/catalpa-leaves/

•Goldenrod (Solidago): several species are native to our state, but they are mostly found as garden plants in my neighborhood. Most species are tall perennials, with central stems clad with lance-shaped leaves, which are then topped with branched (often horizontally) flower stems carrying lots of yellow flowers. They may be good late-summer nectar sources in some areas, and are said to give ‘wet socks’ smell.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f7Gd8hKSio9KaH4q8

•Hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica): a large ornamental shrub with showy, pendant flowers, usually red and purple, sometimes pink or white. It is one of my bee’s favorite late-summer pollen sources.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nfPgvAjSMaNxJm31A

•Old man's beard or traveler’s joy (Clematis vitalba): an invasive climbing vine often found on roadsides, with loose clusters of greenish white flowers that have 4-6 sepals (look like petals).
http://www.florabeilles.org/serie/clematis-vitalba_apis-mellifera-5

•Panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata): a medium to large sized ornamental shrub with oval, dark green leaves and upright, conical clusters (to 6-8” long) of white sterile flowers and non-showy fertile flowers. Along with oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) that started earlier, it is one of my bee’s favorite summer pollen sources.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...g/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/hydrangeapanicle1.jpg

•Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Cornish heath (Erica vagans): often used as large-scale ground-covers, they have tiny bell-shaped flowers, which may be white, pink, purplish, or reddish. They look alike but the former has flat, scale-like leaves and the latter has needle-like leaves. Less common Irish heath (Daboecia cantabrica) with a bit larger flowers started a month earlier. Another common ground-cover, winter heath (Erica carnea) will bloom mid fall - early spring.
[Scotch heather] https://static.wixstatic.com/media/....jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/HeatherScotch2.jpg
[Cornish heath] https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...v2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Heathcornish.jpg

Other plants

•Beeblossoms, gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri aka Gaura linheimeri): https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=1723
•Caucasian stonecrop (Sedum spurium 'Red Carpet’): https://photos.app.goo.gl/6rKPqEoxeob3DYoZ9
•Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys): https://photos.app.goo.gl/hTAfUJu2ERRg7ogf7
•Himalayan balsam or policeman’s helmet (Impatiens glandulifera): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/Himalayanbalsam.jpg
•Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...pg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080/coneflowerpurple.jpg
 
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