Bees and weeds while at the beach

[Jim Almquist]

We had the big family GTG at he beach by the cabin and I saw these blooming weeds or at least I think they are weeds with bees trying pollinate them. All hand held with the 100-400 in AV mode.

[Catmendo]

Nice captures! The flowers are called "Bog Laurels" at least up here. They, like a lot of things have different names in different locals.

[Steve Foss]

Yep, down here they're called swamp milkweed, and there's a different flower we call bog laurel down here. Go figure. Nice shots, Jim!

[Catmendo]

Well Steve me old son, I did a little research and my ID. was dead wrong! They are in fact Swamp Milkweed and not Bog Laurel as I had posted! Hey.....I have never claimed that I'm a perfect specimen!

[jonny_redhorse]

Here's the "minnesota" variety of "Swamp(Bog) Laurel"...had a few images from earlier this spring in the Sax-Zim Bog

and another with some "Labrador Tea" mixed in:

[Steve Foss]

Nice shots, Jonny. I was going to dig out some bog laurel images but you beat me to it.

Stu, I've never seen a perfect human being anywhere, and certainly not when I look in the mirror.

[Jim Almquist]

Thanks for the ID Steve and now I won't have to call them some kinda weed. Jonny nice shot of a Swamp(Bog) Laurel. I have to get a plant book so I know what in the heck I am looking at and maybe even ID one or two.

[Steve Foss]

Jim, the best overall wildflower/plant guide I've seen is the Peterson Field Guide to Wildflowers of Northeastern and Northcentral North America.

I've got some flower guides that are more specific to individual geographic regions, but this is the one I come to first, and usually the only one I need.

One tip when photographing wildflowers and plants is to also make sure to get clear images of the leaves and the total plant, as well as just the flowers. Some flowers are too hard to ID with the blossom alone.

In fact, had Stu's swamp milkweed not had some leaves attached, it may have been hard to tell the difference between it and a Joe-Pye-weed in bud.

[finnbay]

Nice shots! And great discussion. Wouldn't have known either - I learn something new every day from you guys!

[goblueM]

You know, I always confuse swamp milkweed and joe pye weed, for some reason. They look practically identical to me

[Steve Foss]

They're easy to tell apart with a guide and a view of the leaves. It's a little tougher with just the flowers, especially when they're in bud, but can be done.

In full bloom, the Joe-Pye-weed flowers are finer and more wispy than the swamp milkweed. I wish neither one was called a weed. They're both too beautiful for that.

[Catmendo]

Thanks Johnny and thanks for sharing those great captures too!