Busy Bee

While taking a wander through my garden,

I came across a peculiar sight.

Someone had cut very neat holes in our Heliconia leaves.

As I stood staring at the strange spectacle,

a large bee buzzed by me and landed on the leaves,

and proceeded to slice herself another chunk of leaf.

It only took her a matter of seconds to do this,

and then she was off and making her way to her secret nest.

I raced inside and grabbed My Knight and my camera,

and together, we watched for signs of when the clever little cleaver bee would return.

Then My Knight saw her.

Carrying a slice of leaf, she very quickly disappeared
into the end of our watering wand.

We just looked at each other in astonishment.

Soon, the busy little bee again appeared from her, now not so secret, nest.

The little bee paid no attention to either of us,
as we wrangled for a better look at her hidey-hole.

We stayed to watch as she went about her chores,

This time, the bougainvillia was her leaf of choice.

We saw her quickly speed back to her hidden construction site,

carrying a large chunk of leaf.

above: dragging the piece of leaf inside

As each new piece was added to her patchwork quilt inside the nest,

she ventured out once more to

hunt and gather

another small piece to complete her youngun's nursery.

The garden is always full of surprises.

I can always discover something new,

each time I take the time to enjoy it.

Mr Google was happy to provide me with these next few photos

of the 'Leaf Cutter Bee':

Have you made time lately to

take a wander in your own garden?

There will no doubt,

be lots of wonders

just waiting for you

to rest, and enjoy.