Sometimes the beauty of a bee simply takes your breath away.

Especially when the late afternoon sun backlights it.

Yes! All's right with the world. For just a moment in time, there are no pests, parasites or pesticides. There are no viruses, diseases, malnutrition and stress. Colony collapse disorder doesn't exist. Varroa mites are all dead. American Foulbrood, Chalkbrood and Nosema never happened.  For just a moment--one moment--we can bee-lieve.

E. H. Erickson wrote in The Hive and the Honey Bee: "Too often we forget that honey bees are simply insects. Of course, insects themselves are quite remarkable."

Indeed!

We are continually reminded to "stop and smell the flowers," meaning we should stop rushing around and enjoy life more. We should not let time slip away. Time lost, time gone.

However, instead of "stop and smell the flowers," it should be: "Stop and watch the bees visit the flowers."

And if the flowers are inconspicuous on a plant like the purple hopseed bush (Dodonaea viscosa “Purpurea”) below, that's okay, too.