To bee or not to bee....

That was the question today.  Well, not much of a question really as I didn't really spend much time on birds today.  This is my first bumble bee blip of the year ... you can be sure it won't be the last!  This is, I believe, a Bombus impatiens or Common Eastern Bumble bee, a N. American native and one of the first to appear in the spring.  This one is likely a queen as the workers don't typically show up until early May.  They are quite large and very docile bees, not inclined to sting unless roughly handled.  Along with a few hardy honey bees, they were the only six-legged flyers around today as the temps stayed pretty chilly.  Poor things are trying to extract whatever nectar remains from the frost-savaged cherry blossoms.  I've posted two other bee shots on Flickr, starting HERE

Madame and Monsieur were back for visits throughout the day and a little work was done on the nest box in the garden.  They are taking their sweet time about settling in so I'm not totally sure if they'll stay or not- one can only hope.  Even Hubs, who isn't all that keen on birds, seems to be intrigued by our lovely blue visitors.  

We had a nice long chat with my parents this morning - they are well and slowly working their way north in the general direction of their condo in Portland.  Their schedule is always fluid, one of the benefits of being retired and having a big motor home to call home when they aren't in Oregon.  They continue to geocache and are maintaining their standing in the top 100 cachers in the entire world!  They are re-defining what life in one's 80's looks like!  

Only four more sleeps until I fly to FL for this year's Band of Blippers Bash.  It will be a great time with friends, both old and new. And for me, it will be great fun to be back in FL for a visit.  

Tic toc...

Debbi

PS: isn't it always the way ... after you've blipped, you come up with something even better!  Well, if you want an "awwww" moment, have a look at my Extra of two courting house finches.