Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Crabby

The crab apple trees are in bloom now, and they're beautiful! Most of these pictures are from the one on the corner. They are all covered with bees, but this one was different.  Usually bees leave me alone and even let me take their picture, because they are busy getting nectar. My friend Judy, over at THRUSQUIRRELEYES, taught me this. She knows almost everything. But these bees were different, and very aggressive! They buzzed me and buzzed me! I must have been a sight, standing on the corner swinging my arms around and trying to cover my head with my camera. A huge swarm finally chased me back to the car, and I am incredibly lucky that I wasn't stung. I had to wonder if they were African bees, at least partially. But then I got to thinking. The crab apple tree gets it's name from the word "crabbed", meaning crooked, disagreeable, or ill tempered. Because not only is the tree crooked like a crab, but the fruit is very disagreeable and sour. So these bees were just full of that crabby, ill tempered nectar. I'll think twice before snapping a crab apple tree again.


"Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings..."   Psalm 17:7,8

30 comments:

Regina said...

Wow..these are really gorgeous blossoms!! I think I would of tried too but wondered about them too. Certain kinds can be dangerous. Maybe it would be better to dress up in a bee outfit!!
btw, thanks for your last e-mail..
will be sure to keep you posted (hugs )

Anonymous said...

So thankful you were not stung Ginny. The blossoms are so very pretty.

SquirrelQueen said...

The crab apple blooms are awesome, beautiful shots especially your header. Sorry to hear the bees gave you trouble, maybe it was that crabby nectar.

If they were Africanized bees you probably would have been stung. You weren't by any chance wearing pink, like the blooms?

Thanks for the shout!

Melanie said...

Such pretty pictures, Ginny!
I'm so glad you weren't stung!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What a gorgeous tree!

Ann said...

When I was growing up we had two crab apple trees in the front yard. I don't remember the bees but I do remember the beautiful blossoms on them this time of year.
Love the shots you got and glad to hear that the bees didn't get you

DawnTreader said...

The pictures are gorgeous, even if you had to fight for them ;)

Reanaclaire said...

Such sweet colors, Ginny.. can be used as wedding flowers too!

Ruth Hiebert said...

In spite of all that trouble,you got amazing pictures.I especially like the header,but they are all so pretty.

MadSnapper said...

i bet they were african bees, we have them here in FL and have had what i think are some in our trees, i hate them and when the tree is humming i stay far away. they chase the dogs and me, and one will get angry if we swat at it. they had a special on African bees here because they are here and killed two people, and they said do not swat at them, but to get as fast as you can to cover, the more they are swated at the angrier they get. stay away form that tree. bwak bwak bwak

Fred Alton said...

We have one crab-apple tree in our yard, but unfortunately it's dead. I need to cut it down soon. The bees here are all still sweet as they feed on my grapes and honeysuckle! ☺

Lady Jane said...

What a beautiful tree. Not so nice bees though. Glad you got away without a bite...

pam said...

I LOVE flowering trees.

Remington said...

Certainly a nice looking "crabby"....

Peg said...

Your tree is beautiful and crab apples make great, tasty pickles. I was always intrigued that my mother stuck a clove in each "pickle."

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Poor bees.... You were threatening their 'territory'... Glad you weren't stung...

We had a Crabapple tree in our yard in my hometown in VA.. My mother made the best Crabapple Jelly that I have ever eaten. YUM....

Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, Very pretty trees and I used to love eating the preserved Crab Apples that my late Great Aunt in Northern California used to make. Brings back the memories. By the way, I took your advice on my blog today. Have the best day!

Joanne said...

I am soooo scared of bees. The thought that these might have been Africanized bees is very scary! I like your theory...It very well might be true!! Great post. Blessings, Joanne

S. Etole said...

What a beautiful sight ... but glad you made it safely.

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Soooo very glad you posted these. True gifts of heaven on this spring day!

You caught their beauty magnificently!

Linda M. said...

Hi Ginny, Very nice post. The crab apple blossoms are beautiful. Glad those bees didn't get you. Linda

LV said...

We both shared pretty trees today. We just picked different ones. This crab apple is truly lovely.

Karin said...

Such gorgeous blossoms - what a treat for the eyes! Great photos - thanks for sharing them with us!

George said...

I never thought of crabby as being beautiful, but you've shown a lot of beauty in these pictures.
I am glad you weren't stung getting these.

srp said...

There is the most wonderfully shaped and gorgeous crabapple tree sitting right in the parking lot of our nearest Lowes... I always try to park by it just to look. Even when it isn't blooming the canopy is wonderful!

Chatty Crone said...

Beautiful pictures - but I sure am glad you didn't get bit. Have you ever been stung?

Glad this post didn't make you crabby! lol

Kanak said...

Really lovely photos, Ginny! I'd be scared of taking shots amidst buzzing bees!!

Dawning Inspiration said...

Love those shades of pink!
So pretty!
You were very brave!

Tracy said...

Ginny,
Well, the blossoms are beautiful if you separate the 'crabbiness' of it all! Your header is gorgeous, as is your little grand-daughter Ann Marie. I loved her portrait form the post previously placed...what a cutie she is! and gosh, she is growing up so fast!
Have a beautiful day!

Rose said...

These are really beautiful photos...sure glad you were not stung.

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