What wonderful pictures. I know bees are our friends, but when I’m trying to sit outside and read, I don’t appreciate their company. I prefer them to get on with their business while I attend to mine.
For some odd reason I am not at all intimidated by bees. I used to catch them and hold and play with them as a child and never got stung. About 80% of our bees are Africancanized and I am still not afraid even though I got stung in Oct 2012! Didn’t enjoy that at all. I’ve had swarms out here fly around me and I was thrilled! Junko had a bee hive in her laundry room. We are surrounded by citrus orchards here and if I didn’t like bees I’d be in trouble! Cheers to you my friend~
Stupendous colors and I love the bees! My brother is an inspired bee-keeper in Tennessee and through him I have had some contact to bees. Beautiful picture report – it brightened my day ~ ☼ tomas
Lovely! So glad to brighten your day. I must confess to loving my bees so tell your brother kudos…We need good bee managers. Thank you for stopping in~
I actually need a better camera. It’s just a sony cyber shot with a 20x zoom. I want a better camera for our Europe trip coming up and for the hawk shots as 20 x and flat screen focus are not sufficient and bad for photos in the sun….I’m not sure what to get……
There will be! But not from me….There is a lavender farm quite close owned by this woman from South Africa and she makes all things lavender so I am spoiled…..I feel happy with the buzzing bees……
You honestly have no idea how right you are seriously…..The 1200 acre ranch that abuts us is called Rancho Lilac. It is now a nature preserve, but it used to be owned by Irving Soloman one of the founders of the UN. Eleanor Roosevelt spent summers here and wrote her weekly column from here. Ghandi assisted with the formation of the UN here and Dwight Eisenhauer was also active here with the UN stuff… I saw the room where they wrote the formative documents. Are you psychic by chance? Check out this link if you don’t believe me. Click on the UT article and read…..there is a tiny museum here about the ranch. I should post on it……Wallis Simpson and King Edward rendevouzed here as well…..quite a strange history we knew nothing about when we bought our rancho……we share our fence line with the rancho….it has an amazing history and will be preserved intact….
Yes, after 5+ years the lavender has decided to really bloom!! Hooray. We now have wild lilac and lavender blooming and it smells divine. Cheers to you Judy~
It’s is quite true, but I love being amongst them and watching them so it’s all good. I like to take the close ups because unlike many insects, bees are so adorable…..Cheers to you & thanks~
Beautiful, colorful pictures! A question: did you zoom in for these shots or were you that close? That sounds like a dumb question, I know, but actually there are some bees that are extremely docile. And when I zoom in on things many times the color is not quite as vibrant. That’s why I wondered — I may need some zooming camera advice from you, lol!
Good question. I get right up in the beezys faces and put the camera inches from them. I have a 20x zoom. I look and make sure the photo is in focus. because if it is too much zoom for the bee, it blurs. It works well for marco shots but is inadequate for hawks in flight. I just ordered the brand new Sony with 50x zoom and an optional optical eyepiece….I hope it gets here before we leave for Europe. Sony released limited quantities on Monday. Your photos are fab and I am an amateur too!
LOL, Yeah!!
We have had snow blizzards all day, 2 feet of snow in many parts of my City (Edinburgh, Scotland) And we don’t EVER get snow this early in the year…
Very odd….
But apart from the Snow, the world is awaking from slumber.
I so love love Edinburgh! Such a magical city. I am a quarter Scot…I left you a message on this on your blog. Cheers to you. Slumber and snow? Works for me!
Yeah I guess Snow is cool. I STILL have not made a snowman with my 2 daughters, I want to do it while they want to. lol
And tell me more, if you can in how you are a quarter Scottish, where does your ancestry come from? Would like to know and maybe give you some info on things if that is ok?
Shaun x
That would be wonderful. This is what I know. My paternal grandmother, Anne, was a Scot, born and raised in Scotland in a town called Aridrie. She was from the MacKay clan and she gave me lots of the MacKay tartan growing up, and lots of Heather, and told me lots of stories about Scotland. She baked incredible Scottish shortbread that I crave to this day. Her father was in the Blackwatch in WWI, which was some sort of brave Scottish infantry or something. She married a Newfoundler Arthur Barton and moved to the US as a bride. She was a fiercely proud Scot and wonderful grandmother who doted on me.
My spelling of the Scottish names may be incorrect…I’m going from memory….
No you are spot on. My Grandad also served with the Black Watch before going to North Africa!! Aridrie I am sorry..Is a, well, I would rather visit Iraq right now. lol..Just being honest, the place has gone WELL DOWN HILL..Drugs and crime. Just being honest…Shortbread!! Now we are talking!!
You will find most TRUE Scottish people are Fierce in their Homage to Paradise as I call it. I couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else. I go on about it A LOT, Being Scottish, but you know what, so what..I am patriotic and hope come 2014 we get the Yes vote for Independance from the crown (The UK/Britain) Did you know this. The date of the vote is the 400th anniversary of Bannockburn!!
Sends shivers down my spine EVERY time!! Be proud to be part of who and what I am. We are a fantastic race. Mixed with Saxon, Vikings and Irish.
Shaun
PS: If you have Skype. I would be DELIGHTED to do an Audio chat with you. Let me know if you have Skype. Audio, just need a mic..
That would be fun!
Shaun
Shaun,
Why don’t you guys just rebuild Hadrian’s wall? That ought to keep those pesky English out!
Jim
I have English family and friends Jim. You are guessing I dislike English people. Not at all. I didn’t vote for another stint with the Tories.
Also, like the Irish, The Welsh, We Scot’s would like to see if we could stand on out own two feet being independent.
We wouldn’t be paying BILLIONS towards these Wars London sanctions.
Saying that. Tony Blair was born in my City, and he took us to Iraq on a lie. But a free Scotland is a Scotland free from War and this “Machine” stomping around the Globe behind the USA demanding a McDonalds be opened in every City
Don’t take it personal, we just want to be alone. This is out right yeah? lol
Now come Jim. England stole countries for decades and called it an empire. This is the 1st time I mentioned it, lol
Live and let live mate.
Be well.
Shaun
Sean I completely understand Scotland’s desire to be independent and Ireland’s as well. It is what we fought for in the revolutionary war after all. It would be wonderful if it were accomplished peaceably, but I have my doubts that it will suceed. But who knows. If you don’t try it certainly won’t….I don’t have skype, sorry. Too bad about Anne’s home town , she had such fond memories…..I am thrilled to have met you in blogsville and look forward to our future conversations…..Be well & cheers to you!
Pleasure was mine. If I shed any light on your history then good, this place works. lol
Don’t worry about Skype, I go and Audio with many on here and we talk about “Whatever” Good fun.
Independence, my only worry would be Scotland ending up another Northern Ireland. Some happy to be out the Union, some unhappy and wanting to be part of the Union, and just moving to England isn’t that simple. Fiscally we could 100% manage, EASILY!! Scotland. The west has turned VERY sectarian and bad, Glad I ain’t in the West. So that would be my ONLY concern. Not being in England’s Wars would be great. The comment above “Build Hadrians Wall Higher” We get ALL THE TIME From the English. They think we don;t like them, nothing could be further from the truth. We dislike English rule. English governance. Simple as that. Some English people have a wee chip on their shoulder, don;t know why. I don’t do hate, so laugh it off.
But we can do it, its doable. accomplished peaceably, would be done ok, the aftermath would/could be the issue.
Anway, look forward to speaking again. My partner is at me to get to bed as we are up early. So nighty night..and speak soon.
Shaun
Sweet dreams & cheers!
I did.
And thank you x
Amazing picture.
I will be first to admit not many pictures get to me.
But this is BREATHTAKING
The bee, a dying breed, in all its glory.
fascinating!
Thanks for sharing
Reblogged this on The Arkside of Thought.
Thank you so much. I am really jazzed and you are AWESOME! Cheers to you~
Cindy Knoke, THANK YOU!
You’re pretty awesome yourself! 
Awwwwww……
Great shots, I’m jealous….another snowstorm rolling into Colorado. So we’re a ways off from seeing signs of spring.
Keep the faith…spring is around the corner!
Reblogged this on Carpenter's Cabin and commented:
Bees Abuzzing!
I am honored! Thank you so much & cheers to you~
That’s wonderful news (and beautiful photos)!
Mil grazi….so happy all the lavender is finally taken off!
Look refreshing with the flowers and the busy buzzing bees working hard again.
Yes, and it smells divine too! Cheers to you~
What wonderful pictures. I know bees are our friends, but when I’m trying to sit outside and read, I don’t appreciate their company. I prefer them to get on with their business while I attend to mine.
For some odd reason I am not at all intimidated by bees. I used to catch them and hold and play with them as a child and never got stung. About 80% of our bees are Africancanized and I am still not afraid even though I got stung in Oct 2012! Didn’t enjoy that at all. I’ve had swarms out here fly around me and I was thrilled! Junko had a bee hive in her laundry room. We are surrounded by citrus orchards here and if I didn’t like bees I’d be in trouble! Cheers to you my friend~
Cindy, these are some of the most beautifully pictures I think I’ve ever seen. (but they’re not just “perfect”…Hahahahahahaha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Paul
Aaaaw! Thank you…..That you like them is perfect for me~
You really have a talent for photography. These are beautiful.
So kind…love your blog name! Thank you~
I’ve really enjoyed your blog. Thanks for inspiring me!
Visa versa to you~
Gorgeous!
Merci beau coup…
Sorry Cindy but I couldn’t help it. lolol.. >:D http://bit.ly/ZAqEgW
Beautiful shots btw. I enjoy your work very much. Thank you for what you do.
Love the link- hilarious!!! And thank you for your very kind comments~
Wow photography, beautiful vibrant colors, and great shots of the busy bee. You are such a talented photographer.
I just have very well trained bees!! LOL. Thank you for the kind words.Much appreicated~
Stupendous colors and I love the bees! My brother is an inspired bee-keeper in Tennessee and through him I have had some contact to bees. Beautiful picture report – it brightened my day ~ ☼ tomas
Lovely! So glad to brighten your day. I must confess to loving my bees so tell your brother kudos…We need good bee managers. Thank you for stopping in~
Once more please! I forgot what camera you are using for all these great photos. Would you, once more, please tell me? I will write it down this time.
Just ordered the new not yet released sony x3000….can’t wait for it to come!!!!
oops meant 300……
I actually need a better camera. It’s just a sony cyber shot with a 20x zoom. I want a better camera for our Europe trip coming up and for the hawk shots as 20 x and flat screen focus are not sufficient and bad for photos in the sun….I’m not sure what to get……
How lovely is that! Will there beeeeeeeeeeeee lavender honey at the Holler this year?
There will be! But not from me….There is a lavender farm quite close owned by this woman from South Africa and she makes all things lavender so I am spoiled…..I feel happy with the buzzing bees……
The Holler is like a mini United Nations!
You honestly have no idea how right you are seriously…..The 1200 acre ranch that abuts us is called Rancho Lilac. It is now a nature preserve, but it used to be owned by Irving Soloman one of the founders of the UN. Eleanor Roosevelt spent summers here and wrote her weekly column from here. Ghandi assisted with the formation of the UN here and Dwight Eisenhauer was also active here with the UN stuff… I saw the room where they wrote the formative documents. Are you psychic by chance? Check out this link if you don’t believe me. Click on the UT article and read…..there is a tiny museum here about the ranch. I should post on it……Wallis Simpson and King Edward rendevouzed here as well…..quite a strange history we knew nothing about when we bought our rancho……we share our fence line with the rancho….it has an amazing history and will be preserved intact….
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/oct/27/historic-rancho-lilac-valley-center-sold/
You are The Amazing Madam Kresky’s protege…..:)
Absolutely beautiful Cindy!! So vibrant!
Yes, after 5+ years the lavender has decided to really bloom!! Hooray. We now have wild lilac and lavender blooming and it smells divine. Cheers to you Judy~
wow, you really got the bees to pose for you Cindy! gorgeous close-up pics and vivid colours!
Yes, I train them!!!
You must be heading off to Croatia soon? When do you typically go??? Cheers to you my friend and thanks~
we will go in a couple of weeks for Easter, then again in June, then in August for 3 weeks!! more work ahead!!
Sounds idylic….
Lovely photos, so vibrant. I know from experience that bees are fast moving and photographing them is not easy!
It’s is quite true, but I love being amongst them and watching them so it’s all good. I like to take the close ups because unlike many insects, bees are so adorable…..Cheers to you & thanks~
Beautiful, colorful pictures! A question: did you zoom in for these shots or were you that close? That sounds like a dumb question, I know, but actually there are some bees that are extremely docile. And when I zoom in on things many times the color is not quite as vibrant. That’s why I wondered — I may need some zooming camera advice from you, lol!
Good question. I get right up in the beezys faces and put the camera inches from them. I have a 20x zoom. I look and make sure the photo is in focus. because if it is too much zoom for the bee, it blurs. It works well for marco shots but is inadequate for hawks in flight. I just ordered the brand new Sony with 50x zoom and an optional optical eyepiece….I hope it gets here before we leave for Europe. Sony released limited quantities on Monday. Your photos are fab and I am an amateur too!
Ooooooo, nice! You’ll have fun with THAT setup! A great camera can make things so entertaining for the picturetaker!
Just hope it arrives before we leave!
Great picture. I think Spring
LOL, Yeah!!
We have had snow blizzards all day, 2 feet of snow in many parts of my City (Edinburgh, Scotland) And we don’t EVER get snow this early in the year…
Very odd….
But apart from the Snow, the world is awaking from slumber.
Thanks
Shaun
I so love love Edinburgh! Such a magical city. I am a quarter Scot…I left you a message on this on your blog. Cheers to you. Slumber and snow? Works for me!
Yeah I guess Snow is cool. I STILL have not made a snowman with my 2 daughters, I want to do it while they want to. lol
And tell me more, if you can in how you are a quarter Scottish, where does your ancestry come from? Would like to know and maybe give you some info on things if that is ok?
Shaun x
That would be wonderful. This is what I know. My paternal grandmother, Anne, was a Scot, born and raised in Scotland in a town called Aridrie. She was from the MacKay clan and she gave me lots of the MacKay tartan growing up, and lots of Heather, and told me lots of stories about Scotland. She baked incredible Scottish shortbread that I crave to this day. Her father was in the Blackwatch in WWI, which was some sort of brave Scottish infantry or something. She married a Newfoundler Arthur Barton and moved to the US as a bride. She was a fiercely proud Scot and wonderful grandmother who doted on me.
My spelling of the Scottish names may be incorrect…I’m going from memory….
No you are spot on. My Grandad also served with the Black Watch before going to North Africa!! Aridrie I am sorry..Is a, well, I would rather visit Iraq right now. lol..Just being honest, the place has gone WELL DOWN HILL..Drugs and crime. Just being honest…Shortbread!! Now we are talking!!
You will find most TRUE Scottish people are Fierce in their Homage to Paradise as I call it. I couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else. I go on about it A LOT, Being Scottish, but you know what, so what..I am patriotic and hope come 2014 we get the Yes vote for Independance from the crown (The UK/Britain) Did you know this. The date of the vote is the 400th anniversary of Bannockburn!!
Sends shivers down my spine EVERY time!! Be proud to be part of who and what I am. We are a fantastic race. Mixed with Saxon, Vikings and Irish.
Shaun
PS: If you have Skype. I would be DELIGHTED to do an Audio chat with you. Let me know if you have Skype. Audio, just need a mic..
That would be fun!
Shaun
Shaun,
Why don’t you guys just rebuild Hadrian’s wall? That ought to keep those pesky English out!
Jim
I have English family and friends Jim. You are guessing I dislike English people. Not at all. I didn’t vote for another stint with the Tories.
Also, like the Irish, The Welsh, We Scot’s would like to see if we could stand on out own two feet being independent.
We wouldn’t be paying BILLIONS towards these Wars London sanctions.
Saying that. Tony Blair was born in my City, and he took us to Iraq on a lie. But a free Scotland is a Scotland free from War and this “Machine” stomping around the Globe behind the USA demanding a McDonalds be opened in every City
Don’t take it personal, we just want to be alone. This is out right yeah? lol
Now come Jim. England stole countries for decades and called it an empire. This is the 1st time I mentioned it, lol
Live and let live mate.
Be well.
Shaun
Sean I completely understand Scotland’s desire to be independent and Ireland’s as well. It is what we fought for in the revolutionary war after all. It would be wonderful if it were accomplished peaceably, but I have my doubts that it will suceed. But who knows. If you don’t try it certainly won’t….I don’t have skype, sorry. Too bad about Anne’s home town , she had such fond memories…..I am thrilled to have met you in blogsville and look forward to our future conversations…..Be well & cheers to you!
Pleasure was mine. If I shed any light on your history then good, this place works. lol
Don’t worry about Skype, I go and Audio with many on here and we talk about “Whatever” Good fun.
Independence, my only worry would be Scotland ending up another Northern Ireland. Some happy to be out the Union, some unhappy and wanting to be part of the Union, and just moving to England isn’t that simple. Fiscally we could 100% manage, EASILY!! Scotland. The west has turned VERY sectarian and bad, Glad I ain’t in the West. So that would be my ONLY concern. Not being in England’s Wars would be great. The comment above “Build Hadrians Wall Higher” We get ALL THE TIME From the English. They think we don;t like them, nothing could be further from the truth. We dislike English rule. English governance. Simple as that. Some English people have a wee chip on their shoulder, don;t know why. I don’t do hate, so laugh it off.
But we can do it, its doable. accomplished peaceably, would be done ok, the aftermath would/could be the issue.
Anway, look forward to speaking again. My partner is at me to get to bed as we are up early. So nighty night..and speak soon.
Shaun
Sweet dreams & cheers!
I did.
And thank you x
Amazing picture.
I will be first to admit not many pictures get to me.
But this is BREATHTAKING
The bee, a dying breed, in all its glory.
fascinating!
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for appreciating! It makes posting a joy. Cheers to you~
As I say it is not often I look at pictures, but I have started, and looked at yours and many more, and it is good, it is a form of sharing also.
Thanks for sharing. Always good
x
[ Smiles ] Bees have a way of getting my attention.
I really enjoyed your photos and thank you for dropping by!
They are almost cuddly!!
I know….fuzzy-wuzzies!! Cheers to you~