Flying teddy bears.

Someone once said to me that bumble bees are like flying teddy bears. How apt is that. They're cute, cuddly, and airborne, and according to the scientists, they shouldn't be able to even leave the ground. The miracle of improbable flight.

Okay...so now I'm getting an image in my head of real teddy bears, flying. They're wearing goggles and helmets, and little backpacks presumably full of teddy bear necessities, just in case you were wondering.

They haven't actually left the ground yet though, because they're firing up the gas in the teddy bear sized hot air balloon that's parked outside my front door. It takes time to inflate those things. Has to be done properly.

Two of them are deep in discussion about where in the basket the picnic hamper should go. It does look quite heavy. No doubt laden with teddy bear treats. Makes sense to do the maths. Balloons are a bit of a balancing act. Don't want any teddys overboard, or flattened by bulk kitchen utensils, because of a miscalculation. That would be...un-bear-able...

Uh oh...one of the teddys has just been plucked from my verandah by a passing hawk! Eek! He's waving though, which I will assume is a good sign. Must be a glass-half-full kind of chap. That's the spirit. Think of it as an adventure. A bird's eye view, almost, of the spectacular scenery. Up until the moment when you are dropped into the nest...or the ocean...

I can take comfort in the knowledge that the hawk isn't planning to harvest his flesh since he isn't a real boy, but having said that, I guess the stuffing in a teddy would make a nest quite...erm...well...nesty...

Let's just hope the hawk has kleptomaniac tendencies and an empty nest furnished with an extensive--intact--soft toy collection. If only I had a pair of binoculars to monitor the bear's progress... Hang in there, teddy...

Anyway...back to bumbles... It hasn't escaped my attention that they really know how to colour coordinate themselves. They look good with any shade of flower. Who would've thought yellow and black stripes would be so versatile. I don't think I could pull it off. Don't have the right skin tone. Sigh.

Looking pretty in pink;

And pretty in the pink;

Mellow in yellow;

A delight in white;

 

Oops, apologies, bumble, didn't mean to intrude. As you were;

I know we've already admired the bumbles amidst the globe artichokes before, but I just can't resist slotting another picky into this post as well. The way this bumble is sticking out his back legs just cracks me up every time I look at it. 

Perfection in purple;

As you may have noticed by now, none of these "teddy bears" are actually flying, but their locations clearly hint at aeronautical activity.

I had to perform an emergency bumble rescue recently when I spotted one head-butting a window...on the fourth floor of an inner city building. What he was doing up there, other than panicking, I do not know. It's not like there were any flowers up at that level. No wonder they tire themselves out.

This high flyer needed a rest from his globe exploration. Serene in green;

 

 And looking seriously cuddly. Very teddy bearish, imo;

Speaking of rescues...I had to perform another intervention last week. I went to fill up the bird feeder--a.k.a. a  jar lid--on my verandah, and discovered a bumble huddled in it. I gasped at first because I assumed he'd been pecked to bits, but I'm relieved to say he had no obvious injuries.

Not a very smart place to catch forty winks, of course. I don't know if birds eat bees, and I'm not sure I want to know. I expect they do.

I relocated teddy bear features to a nearby cornflower. He went right back to work, but his burst of energy didn't last very long. Another nap was called for. Somewhat safer place to take one, me thinks. Doubt the hawks would spy you there, bumble. A nosy parker like myself, on the other hand;

Ya know, despite my "incompatible with the colour yellow" status, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of dressing up in a bumble costume anyway. Just for the hell of it.

Obviously people would think I'm a freak, wearing a bug outfit at my age. If I was five I'm sure they'd smile. They'd probably smile now that I am not five, but their grin would have a different meaning. But hey, it would be naive to think that people don't already consider me a freak. Gotta be realistic about these things.

I might get away with the transformation the first time. I imagine there would be a few polite, possibly even jovial inquiries as to whether I'm attending a fancy dress party, or a school fair, or some other festivity where it is socially acceptable to adopt a dress code outside of the norm.

But when I reveal that my choice of clothing is not prompted by a special occasion, just a desire to honour the humble bumble, I reckon that's when the smiles might turn to sniggers. Or grimaces.

So bee it. 

The important thing is that dressing in bumble attire, would make me smile. And laugh. And then of course, I would fall down because initiating my "flight plan" and laughing would be incompatible. I would be a giggling disheveled stripey heap, cluttering up the footpath.

I should probably consult the DSM first, to make sure that reinventing oneself as an insect isn't one of those diagnostic criteria that invites involuntary commitment to a mental institution. Just to be on the safe side. I reckon I'd bee all right. It's not like I'm planning to sting anyone.

There are also other issues to consider. To be a bee, when you are not a bee, isn't as simple as it sounds. (Why do my ideas always end up so complicated?) I predict that I may have to make my own costume. Doubt you can just buy one off the rack. Unless you are five.

But I reckon I would need two costumes, a spare for when one is in the wash... And possibly another slightly altered outfit if the day wear version doesn't make the transition to sleep wear very well. Depends on what I make the wings out of, I guess.

And I will have to work on my buzzzzzzzz if I'm going to be a credible bumble impersonator. Sound bites are so important these days, aren't they.

Hmmmm...I know...time to face facts... My delicate frame suggests I'd make a more convincing stick insect than a bumble bee. Those super spindly arms. Very stick-like.

But I can live with that. Slightly more challenging costume wise though. I would definitely have to make my own. And my efforts might be too ambiguous. Onlookers might ponder, "why is that woman/freak dressed like a twig?"

Oops. Another elongated post. I have been waffling on again, haven't I...rambling on...or perhaps, bumbling on...

Let's wrap it up with some more pickys. One of my favourite flowers is nigella. To find a nigella bloom accessorized with one of my favourite bugs...ahhhhh...what more could a chick with a camera ask for.

Looking bumbilicious in blue;

From every angle;

Especially from behind;

You adorable little teddy bear, you;

Romance isn't dead...

...at least, not in little critter land...

I reckon bugs can teach us a thing or two about the gentle art of wooing. Except perhaps praying mantises...and maybe not those black widow spiders either... Hmmmm....okay... I may have to rethink this hypothesis...let's stick to romance lessons sticky style, shall we? 

I didn't see many stickys over the summer. It has been an unusually hot dry one though, so maybe that's why. I'm pleased to announce that they are now back, on mass, stickys galore! And just as amorous as ever. Good grief.

You could be forgiven for thinking at first glance that there is only one bug in this photo; 

But if you look a little closer;

You will see that there are in fact two stickys, uniting as one;

 

No room for misinterpretation from this angle, which is why censorship is required;

But stickys aren't a love em and leave em, kind of bug. They stick together, in more ways than one. Here they are, post embrace, still embracing;

And I have to include this photo, because the female sticky even took time out from canoodling to wave at the camerawoman!;

But just after the salutation, a gust of wind dislodged the happy couple and they fell off the fern. Not to worry though, they clung to a flax leaf instead, still together. Such devotion. I am in awe. Don't they cast an adorable shadow;

When I checked back later they had gone from shadow dancers, to shade lovers. It was quite a hot day, so a sensible move, imo;

And here they are doing their "we are one" thing again. Ahhhhhh...;

The Artistic Life of Bugs.

I think it is about time we paused to formally acknowledge the creative endeavours of the insect community.  Or, put simply, let's admire some bug art.

I can see the humour in this piece. Not sure the subject would find it amusing;

 

 And this one makes me chuckle too. Such attention to detail, with a dash of whimsy;

I would like to know who wrapped up this parcel. Not in a confrontational, how dare you disfigure a flower way, just to clarify, but in a oh, how intriguing, tell me, what inspired this work? kind of way instead;

 

I imagine the creator of this piece to be the passionate impulsive, maybe moody type who works her/himself into a frenzy. I wonder how long it took to sculpt...I'd be curious to meet the muse;

I like the way this artist had balanced the colours in this work with a strategically placed aphid;

I didn't think I could appreciate abstract art until I saw this piece. I find myself speculating on the symbolism. Where did the artist's journey begin? Where did it end? Or is it unending? Is the artist still lost in their own inner maze?...hmmmm...deep stuff...art is supposed to make you think, isn't it. Mission accomplished;

And another more elaborate work in a similar vein, possibly suggesting a more convoluted case of inner turmoil;

For some reason, this picture makes me think of a Ferris wheel. Nice work, spidey;

And here's an example of functional art, art that pays, that puts food on the table;

I love the way this next artist has opened up a window to bring the background into the foreground, allowing the viewer to appreciate the delicate form of the fern fronds. Works for me;

This piece is one of those clever trick photos like those pictures they show you in psych 101. At first, it seems as if the artist is using the redesigned leaves as a window too, drawing our attention to the fetching sky beyond, but when you look at it closer, you see a witch, with long flowing hair and a really big nose...holding onto her broomstick...at least, that's what I see...but hang on...it could be a seahorse instead...

Ah...the joy of art...a personal and deeply subjective experience for every one of us...beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that;

 

But wait...if I look at the same picture from this angle, I see a dragon...one with a slightly shorter tail than I would expect to see on such a creature, admittedly...but a dragon, nonetheless...one seeking shelter from the midday sun, under a parasol...

And if we flip the picture this way, I see at least three cloaked figures clinging to the mast of a pirate ship...except one of them is wielding an axe...which makes me speculate that they may not be clinging to the mast much longer...

I don't know about you, but if I were one of those figures, I would probably give some thought to my predicament and realise that holding onto the pole wasn't going to achieve much, and that it might make more sense to try and restrict the activities of the lunatic with the axe...especially if the sharks are circling...but hey, one doesn't always think straight under pressure, so who am I to criticize...

I did flip the picture again, but still only saw a witch, just a horizontal one. Maybe I need to study it a bit longer.

Now, I couldn't post a blog entry about bug art without some pictures of the artists themselves at work in their studios, could I? If you've read my previous post, you might recognise this fellow as a Magpie Moth nymph. As you can see, this piece is almost complete. Are those heart shapes you are drawing, Mr Caterpillar, or do you have a fetish for Mickey Mouse ears?;

This artist has only just started his masterpiece. Obviously, all that chomping generates some...ahem...waste material... The above caterpillar looks like he has the luxury of a separate toilet...assuming that those specks are indeed caterpillar doo...not like I've sent them to a lab for analysis, or anything...just guessing...The specks could be caterpillar crayons, for all I know;

 

And here is a shot of both artists at work. I wonder if they keep tabs on each others creations. Would be easy enough to take a peek, wouldn't it. For them to glance over their shoulders... To spy on one another... Do caterpillars have a competitive streak? Or is it a collaborative project, a joint installation, perhaps...

Maybe an easier question to answer might be--do caterpillars actually have shoulders...I wonder what google has to say about that;

And here we have a close up of an artist with his brush at the ready. I think he looks a bit guilty, actually, like he's about to scribble graffiti on the verandah. Go right ahead, Mr Bumble, consider my verandah your canvas;

Finally, let's just admire this fellow, acknowledging that every bug is a work of art in its own right, a little pocket of perfection in an imperfect world;

 

 

Bumblefest.

 I think I have a new obsession--bug bottom photography. But how can I possibly resist when presented with the opportunity to capture two bumble butts together?

And here we have two bumbilicious beauties trying to hide their bottoms;

And again, two proudly displaying them;

And then, would you believe...there were three;

I did try to get a picture of four in one shot, but I was pushing my luck there, so let's just admire those three bees again;

The globe artichokes are very popular with the bumble crowd right now. Things have even been getting a bit competitive. Steady on, bumbles, there's plenty for everyone;

And there's still room for some alone time;

To focus on the task at hand;

On a perfect summer's day;

I think these photos have a Willy Wonkerish feel about them. Kinda like the bumbles are immersed in a sea of lilac candy fronds...which I suppose they sort of are...

 Such handsome creatures, wouldn't you agree. Purple is definitely their colour;

And they're such hard workers. Out of all the bugs I find in need of assistance, I reckon most of them are bumbles. They do tend to over exert themselves. Naughty fellows;

It's not just we humans that should remember to take the time to smell the roses;

Deep breath now;

Time for a well deserved rest;