I heard them before I saw them… several Camellia bushes were abuzz with bees.





Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 20, 2024
I was concentrating on the Yellow Swallowtail butterfly circling a buttonbush, not noticing the dragonfly or the bee until looking at the photos later.

The bush was rooted down an embankment into a swampy area frequented by snakes and alligators so my angle options were limited.

The bee moved on…

The butterfly sampled all of the buttons while the dragonfly had a rest.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 20, 2024
A very busy bee checked out every part of this magnolia blossom.

He picked over the “matchsticks” that had fallen into one of the petals.

I’m not sure if he actually moved any of the flower parts…

…but he sure seemed to be trying.

Then he went to the center and knocked off a few more.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 10, 2024
This hefty red Camellia was at a nice height for me to spot a bee on a pollen gathering mission.

The sun created some interesting shadows…

…while the bee checked every side of the tightly bunched filaments.

The bee climbed his way out of the flower before taking off.

Another bee quickly took the prime spot in this bloom.

February 2, 2024
And he didn’t like it.

As a trio of ants worked their way around the Camellia’s center the bee fidgeted away from them, finally taking off for quieter pastures.

I don’t know what the ants were up to, they just seemed to be marching around.

February 2, 2024