The little things

I almost stepped on this bee in my back yard. It was just lying there looking a bit sorry for itself and I wondered what to do. I couldn't see any convenient, open flowers to transfer it to. I remembered reading that you can sometimes revive them with a drop of sugar water (white sugar stirred into water 50/50) so I mixed a little up and dropped some from a teaspoon beside it. Within seconds, its little tongue shot out (I'm sure it's not called a tongue!) and it started to suck up the water. I kept having a look and it was feeding for quite a long time, every now and again waggling its antennae.  Eventually it stopped and sat still again. The next time I looked it had disappeared so I assume it felt revived enough to fly away and resume its journey. I've no idea what type of bee it was. It didn't appear to have any distinctive markings, though it may have had its tail tucked under.

I wasn't going to use this photo on my blog but then I thought that, actually, it represents quite well what is happening in the present situation. Our lives are suddenly so constrained as a result of the viral pandemic. Lacking some of my normal busyness, I find I am noticing and appreciating the small things much more: flowers, wildlife, the way the light falls, a wave from a neighbour, the taste of food, the warmth of the sun. Noticing and grateful.

Orange tip

I don't really have the right lens for close-ups but this little orange-tip butterfly caught my eye. They're a true sign of Spring, and come out at the same time as bluebells, which provide a nectar source. This one is sitting on a garlic mustard plant, on which they lay their eggs - though the butterfly pictured is a male.

Dragonfly

I don't do a lot of macro photography as I have never figured out really how to use my camera's macro function.  I don't think it's anything like as good as a DSLR macro lens would be.  Nevertheless I quite liked this close-up image of a dragonfly and its shadow.  I don't know much about them - from 'googling' the species I think it is some kind of Hawker (Aeshna) but that's as far as I've got.   Any dragonfly experts out there?

Isn't nature amazing though?....so many wonderful varieties of flora and fauna, each exquisite down to the tiniest detail.  I've just been watching part of a David Attenborough programme (he's one of England's 'national treasures'!)  about Madagascar on TV, and wow, the variety of life there is incredible. Such weird and wonderful creatures. You couldn't make it up!  80% of the island's animals and plants are unique to Madagascar. (Not sure if the TV link will be viewable outside UK but you could try.)
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I'm shocked at the dreadful scenes in Norway and send my heartfelt condolences to anyone affected by those horrific acts of violence.  My thoughts and prayers too to all of you suffering the extreme heatwave in North America (much as I wish it was a bit warmer here, I don't like it hot - and that heat and humidity must be literally a killer).  Hope you can find ways of staying cool.