Pretty Flowers and Happy Birthday, Pink Saturday!

 
There are so many awesome parties in the world of blog these days. The talent and inspiration found at each of these events is beyond wonderful. Wish there were enough hours in the day to participate much more often than I do. But today, for the first time, I'm joining the party over at A Rosy Note. Loads of inspiring photography each Friday!

 
I discovered this  beautiful blog and the party through the big dreamer, Connie! {Also a fun blog to visit!} Today's theme is flowers....something near and dear to my heart. {insert a sweet, contented sigh}

There is also a BIG PARTY about to take place at Pink Saturday. It's the three year anniversary of this event! As soon as my friend Beverly posts the gathering spot, I'll be updating to play in her event as well! Rumor has it that there are lots of giveaways happening during this celebration!

Update: click on the Big Party above and it will take you to the celebration!

 
And we all know, that without these scary little creatures, there wouldn't be flowers. Despite the fact that I am deathly afraid of bees, I still find them to be fascinating little fellas. So much so, that after trying unsuccessfully with my longer lenses [meaning: stay as far away as possible!] to get a good shot, I threw caution to the wind and slapped on my 50mm lens.

I am so brave. Half the battle is just facing our fears, isn't it? Moving forward despite how uncomfortable it happens to be.

 
Who knows? Maybe one day I won't search the web for ways to deter bees from messing with my space.

Here's a few of my favorite:

~Hang a fake hornet's nest in one of your trees. Hornets are territorial and once they see another colony has claimed this turf, they move on. One source even said a brown lunch bag stuffed with plastic would do the trick as the hornets won't come close enough to find out it isn't real!

~Wear light colors and smooth fabric. Bees are attracted to dark and texture. Wool and leather make them angry!

~If you kill a bee and the hive is nearby...watch out! They can smell the kill and will come and attack you.

~There are all kinds of non-toxic, homemade repellents plastered throughout the internet. I've seen ones with ingredients such as Ivory soap, tea tree oil, orange oil, etc.

~Also, if you're going to take a nest out at night {the recommended time for doing so} never shine a flash light into the nest. This will make them mad. Instead, cover the flashlight with red cellophane as bees can't see red light! 

~This one I learned from an exterminator after I had the misfortune of walking across a ground nest once...if you do come across a ground nest, before you move, stand and watch and observe the flight pattern the hornets use to enter the nest. They have a definite pattern for approaching and entering. If you cross the flight pattern line, you will get stung!

Then again, maybe you don't care about avoiding bees because you're REALLY brave like these young ladies:

 
{{source}}

Seriously. Who would do this? Don't do this. But do take a peek at all the participants in Pink Saturday and over at A Rosy Note!

Looking forward to browsing myself over the long three day weekend!

Xo, Sue

{p.s. several have commented that when I leave a comment on your blog using Typepad's Open ID credentials that it says: "no reply comment" in the from address line. But located right below that you will see my email address. Should you wish to respond via email to me, you need to hit "forward" instead of "reply" and then copy and paste my email address into the "send to:" line.

"No reply commenter" does not mean that I don't care to have you reply to me!!! It just means the address from Typepad that sends the message does not receive replies!}

Comments

[Sherri]

Oh my gosh...just looking at that photo with the ladies and the bees makes me faint...The photos of your florals are stunning!! Gorgeous Texture...I love them, and your blog is so delightful!

[charlotte wilson]

Your photos are absolutely breathtaking! I love the ones with the bees especially!

All the best,

charlotte wilson

[Linda Jo]

Sue...your blog is looking so wonderful. Those photos take my breath away. You should be selling those.

[Kristy Life n Reflection Photography]

Bee-utiful images!! Love your texture work too!

[Terri Kahrs]

OMG, Sue! Your photos have are magnificent!!! Can't believe you braved the 50mm with that bee so close, but the captures were well worth the effort. Thanks too, for the tips on bees. I'm going to try the brown paper bag trick. For some reason, hornets and wasps are attracted to our deck. Geeze . . . . do you think it could be because of all of the flowers and shrubs I have planted on it!?!?!? LOL!!! Hope you have a happy, relaxing weekend! Hugs, Terri xoxox

[Connie]

So many very, very, very pretty photos Sue! And I'm glad you are playing along at A Rosy Note! Did you paint that lovely yellow chair with chalk paint? I'm working on my second piece and am loving it!

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Hugs ~~ Connie

[Cherie Wilson]

What?! Bee's? I agree......not my favorite. I did like the movie secret lives of bees....bet the book is even better. Still, your post is a beautiful anthology, even if you are not the bestest friend of bees. Thankyou for your sweet colors and I can almost smell the flowers now! Don't blame the bees a bit. Enjoying the outdoors thru your blog, Sue. Still gray and rainy here! Your post is a true bit of sunshine! Happy Long weekend to you!! XOXOX

[Janet (shabbyfufu)]

Just gorgeous! We have so many bees right now and I've been a bit afraid to get too close....so t/u for the tips!

Janet

[Dawn... The Bohemian]

Your Photography is outstanding! Loving the Bee photos and glad you faced that fear in order to capture such amazing photos of them! I never had a fear of Bees even though I'm allergic to them... but here in Arizona most of our Bees are Africanized and a lot more aggressive so you have to be more cautious than around the American Honeybee.

Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

[Natasha]

Wow, your images are truly stunning, including the shot of the bee. You are an amazing photographer!

Best wishes and happy Pink Saturday,
Natasha.

[~*~Patty]

ooo you do have a way with flowers and beezy weezies too!
who knew ;)
Gorgeous photos Sue...breathtaking...AND when I scrolled down and saw the bee cover ladies YIKES!

one thing I have learned from our nature boy son is to not swat at bees...so counter intuitive...but I am trying...the last few days I have had to open our mailbox with a flourish...our neighbor across the street yelled "Are you OK!!!!"...Yes, I replied, we've had a wasp trying to build a nest in the mailbox for a couple of days, so I am being VERY careful...

I think I finally discouraged him by knocking his nest down twice...found out I have good reflexes and a nice longgggg broom handle gave me a little courage too hahaa!

well you got me going with your beautiful bees...must take another lookie look before I get back to going through some boxes of my Mom's things..sniff sniff

Happy Weekend to you and yours Dear One!
oxo

[Jenn]

Happy Pink Saturday! I love the photos - when I came to the first bee I couldn't figure out what it was at first, the flower was throwing me off - what an awesome blossom. The first bee blew me away but the second was even better. I helped x-inlaws w/their apiary a long time ago. I got used to the hives and bees, to some degree. Was neat to extract and process the honey. Don't like hornets at all - neat idea about the bag - wonder if it works. Great post. Enjoyed my visit! Thanks, Jenn

[June Makes Six]

Your photography style is so beautiful....love visiting your blog. Have a great weekend.

Tiffany

[Tricia]

Oh my goodness! Your photos are so amazingly beautiful. I love the colors and the composition...it's all picture perfect. Thanks so much for sharing your post at Photo Feature Friday. Hope you're having a good weekend :)

~tricia

Happy Pink Saturday, my sweet Sue. We have been sharing pink together since almost the very beginning. Thank you for making Pink Saturday what it is today. It wouldn't be the same without you. ♥

You know I love all of these exquisite shots. And, now I have learned that you are a very brave lady. The bee ladies make shivers run up my back.

[June]

Sue your blog is absolutely gorgeous. I have been going through some of your posts just drooling over all of your amazing photos. Such a talent.
June

[a box of chocolates]

oh wow those bee shots are amazing your photography is wonderful so glad to have found this little haven in blogland

[Pandora Bracelets]

This post has been somewhat of a revelation to me.

[Pandora Charms]

This is all very new to me and this article really opened my eyes.Thanks for sharing with us your wisdom.

[Pandora Beads]

I am so glad this internet thing works and your article really helped me. Might take you up on that home advice you

[Rosetta Stone Spanish]

I really wish I hadn’t seen this as I really want one now!

[Christian Louboutin]

YES! I finally found this web page! I’ve been looking just for this article for so long!!

[Manila Flowers]

I'm so bothered by those girls surrounded by bees. It looks scary. Anyway, this Pink Saturday theme is cool especially when mixed with pink flowers. I really adore the flowers here 'cause of their color and simplicity to make me smile.

[Rebecca Goodwin]

Great photos!!! and those ladies with bees i was like whoa they're so brave. I think they put honeys all over to attract nos. of bees. Amazing!!