Galardia and friends.

[Trent Watts]

When I moved into my house a few years ago I planted some native prairie flowers. It has taken a few seasons for them to flourish. The Galardia have started blooming and the flowers are visited by lots of creatures.

While trying to get some decent pictures of the flowers I noticed a tiny mite buzzing around on one of the petals. It was amazing how fast it moved for such a small thing. When I looked it up on iNaturalist it said it was a Whirligig Mite. That made perfect sense as that is how it appeared to be moving.

And of course there were bees busy gathering pollen.

 

[AlanLichty]

Neat macro work! I like them all but #5 in particular with the pollen covered bee and wonderful details of the flower.

I love galardias but they don't like living my area all that much and never come back on their own. Our soil might be too acidic for them.

 

[Trent Watts]

Neat macro work! I like them all but #5 in particular with the pollen covered bee and wonderful details of the flower.

I love galardias but they don't like living my area all that much and never come back on their own. Our soil might be too acidic for them.

Thanks Alan. Much appreciated.

 

[Michael13]

Incredibly detailed images, as usual Trent. I don't know how that bee navigates with his face covered in pollen!

 

[Trent Watts]

Incredibly detailed images, as usual Trent. I don't know how that bee navigates with his face covered in pollen!

Thanks Michael. Yes you can see why they are major pollinators.

 

[MonikaC]

Nice work, Trent. I especially like the last 2 with the pollen-covered bee.

 

[JimFox]

Awesome work Trent! That spider almost looks camouflaged. And great job with the bees.