From early in the spring through to the killing frost in the fall, pollinators arrive in the garden, attracted to the flowers on fruit trees, shrubs, vegetables, annuals, and perennials.  Almost 90% of flowering plants need pollinators for the perpetuation of the plant  species.   Bees are the most important pollinator and there are over 450 varieties in BC.    Other pollinators include flies, wasps, butteflies, various insects, and even birds and bats.   Pollinators collect and move nectar and pollen.     The transfer of pollen is an essential part of the reproductive process, required for the development of fruits and seeds.   Pollination is ongoing in the garden and when we go out to work the garden or to admire the flowers, we can often observe pollinators at work.    A few are shared here.    Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.

bee on veronica

skipper and bee on forget-me-nots

bee on cornflower

skipper on forget-me-nots

bee on a brassica

ant on hosta

butterfly on maltese cross

bee collecting nectar

fly on potentilla

fly on rockcress

Getting close-up shots of insects is not an easy task.    Getting both the flower details and the insects sharp requires patience and time.    I am still working on it….