Mosquito on White Flower

Mosquito on White Flower

Feb 26, 2022 | Insects, Plants, Mosses & Lichens, Wildflowers, Wildlife

This mosquito couldn’t hide from me! Caught out near The Narrows of Buffalo Lake (north of Stettler, AB, Canada), this mosquito was sitting quietly on the cold, quiet rain-filled day of June 11, 2020. 

She (that much I’m sure of), was sitting on one of the Lily Family’s Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum). These native forbs bloom from June to July, bearing little fragrance and turn into dark purple berries by August. Mosquitoes tend to be around during the same period, unfortunately!

Photos were taken with my Canon Rebel XS DSLR T6i camera with a Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro lens.

This Bee Loves Crocuses

This Bee Loves Crocuses

Apr 22, 2021 | Insects, Wildflowers

On one weekend (April 25, 2020) I wandered down to Red Rock Coulee Natural Area (which is south-west of Medicine Hat, Alberta) with a friend to take in the first prairie blooms of the season. Lo and behold the prairie crocuses were being visited by a lovely honey bee who was too busy collecting pollen to bother noticing me putting a camera in its face.

Taken with a Canon Rebel T6i, Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 macro lens.

Bumbler on a Gaillardia

Bumbler on a Gaillardia

Apr 22, 2021 | Grasslands, Insects, Wildflowers

On a range health checking trip at the Cypress Hills in Alberta, Canada on August 6, 2014, I found this busy lovely bumblebee doing some nectar-collecting from a Gaillardia or Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristrada) and just had to talk a shot of it. Taken with my Canon Rebel XS DSLR, Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 macro lens.

Lavatera Pollinator

Lavatera Pollinator

Apr 19, 2021 | Flowers, Insects

This little bumblebee was sure having quite the time with this lavatera bloom! By going from one flower to another, this bee helps move pollen from one flower to another to help propagate seed. Without pollinators such as this little bee, plants would have a much harder time reproducing.

Taken on September 23, 2018, with my old Canon Rebel XS DSLR, with a Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro lens.

Honeybee on a Gerbera

Honeybee on a Gerbera

Apr 18, 2021 | Flowers, Insects

Bees, honeybees (as this one above) or bumblebees or any other native pollinators, are pretty important for a lot of plants to be able to pollinate plants so those plants can produce seeds and start a new generation.

Taken near Barrhead, AB, Canada on August 23, 2013, with my old Canon Rebel XS DSLR camera.