Bumblebee Caught In The Amazing Act Of ...

…pollinating my Closed Bottle Gentian. This is no small task since the flowers never open! Closed Bottle Gentian is pollinated almost exclusively by Bumblebees; because these large bees are strong enough to pull open the petals. The flowers (which really look more like buds than flowers) don’t tear, because folds on the petals stretch like an accordion when a bee squeezes inside. I love how this bee is pushing himself in with the help of a nearby flower.

Many of you seemed fascinated to learn about the Closed Bottle Gentian when I posted a photo of my blooming plant two days ago, so I was thrilled last evening when I got the opportunity to capture a bee doing its job so that all could see. I hope you enjoy this follow-up!

To see the original post, here’s a link: http://365project.org/janetb/365/2015-08-19

[Jane Anderson]

Wonderful follow-up and capture! I've enjoyed learning about this flower!

[Janet B.]

@cejaanderson Thanks, Jane, for your comment and fav! I'm happy that you've enjoyed my Closed Bottle Gentian. I think it's an amazing plant, and I really love watching it all abuzz with bee activity. :-)

[Dinah Pinkston]

How interesting! Lovely color and dof!

[Janet B.]

@dsp2 Thank you so much!

[Lynne Hart]

Interesting plant, great shot of the bumble bee.

[Janet B.]

@lhart Thank you, Lynne! I love to watch the bees pry the petals apart. It's amazing!

[Lady in red(Denise)]

lovely shot

[Janet B.]

@denisef58 Thank you kindly!

[Paul]

Nice photo of the determined little creature!

[Paula W]

How interesting, I learn something new every day on 365! How great to capture a shot of this too.

[KoalaGardens🐨]

great capture! fav

[Yeshanghai]

Great and cute capture

[Milanie]

This is so neat! What terrific timing to catch him in there after you had told us about this flower. Wonderful detail.

[bkb in the city]

Great catch

[Merrelyn]

Great timing

[Janet B.]

@pej Thank you, Paul!

[Janet B.]

@paulaw Thank you so much, Paula!

[Janet B.]

@koalagardens Thank you for your kind comment and the fav! :-)

[Janet B.]

@yeshanghai Thank you very much!

[Janet B.]

@milaniet Thanks so much, Milanie! I was so excited when I saw the bees arrive. I watched and photographed lots of bees going into the flowers while my husband was cooking dinner on the nearby grill!

[Janet B.]

@bkbinthecity Thank you! :-)

[Janet B.]

@merrelyn Thanks so much! :-)

[lisa]

isn't it fascinating how nature works? great capture.

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Lovely capture

[Janet B.]

@lisamccloskey Yes, how nature works is definitely fascinating! Thank you for commenting!

[Janet B.]

@ziggy77 Thank you, Jo! :-)

[Denise (lyndemc)]

What a capture! What patience you must have, waiting for the rare moment to occur in front of your camera. And yes, I noticed that little foot pushing against the adjacent bud; cute!

[Janet B.]

@lyndemc Thanks so much, Denise! My husband was grilling nearby; and when I saw those bees zipping over to the Gentian, I dashed inside for my camera!

[Jane Pittenger]

Oh, I am so glad you got a shot of him breaking in!

[Janet B.]

@jgpittenger Thanks, Jane! :-)

[Denise (lyndemc)]

@janetb We get our exercise thanks to all the dashing off for the camera that's done, right?!

[Janet B.]

@lyndemc Hahaha, indeed! :-)