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Thank You Pollinators
April 8, 2026 A Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) gathering nectar and pollen from the blooms of Blueberry bushes (Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus). Of course it doesn’t realize it, but its efforts result in blueberries appearing on the bushes in late May. Soon after they ripen, they will become blueberry muffins, blueberry pies and toppings for…
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Gorgeous Wingstem
September 2, 2025 I have so many favorites in the world of nature. This is one of them. Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), seen here in Shenandoah National Park. Right now it is decorating roadsides with its brilliant lemon yellow. Wingstem is quite popular with pollinators. This is a Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) enjoying the Wingstem’s…
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Pollen Baskets Or Corbiculae
August 26, 2025 A Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) gathering pollen on a Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida). These bees have a special place to collect pollen on the outside of their back legs called pollen baskets, or corbiculae. Pollen will be gathered on their fuzzy bodies, then the bee will gather that pollen into these…