. . . yes, it’s a homonyms feast. But, to go on . . .

If you are new to the SDS Challenge, a little background.

Three writers will each write one story a month going down the list of deadly sins. The stories can be anywhere from 666 words to 6,666 words in length, although those numbers are not set in stone. If ambitious, the writers will provide accompanying graphics. These stories will not be anonymous because some writers may want to use the same characters for each story and write a series — or book — encompassing all seven sins. Finally, interpretation of the titular sin is up to the writer. Meaning, each ‘sin’ can take multiple forms.

Disclaimer: The writing challenge has no restrictions and the stories will likely span a wide gamut of genres. The majority of the stories fall in the PG-rating range with a few perhaps pushing into the soft R-rating. Some readers might find a few of the stories disturbing because of the topics, language, and/or plot points, and if so, stop reading and move on.

If you want to read the Seven Deadly Sins submissions for the Sin of Envy, and then vote, your gateway is THIS POST <<link. There, you’ll find links to each of the three stories and a poll for you to vote after you finish them (if you be so moved).

For this post, I’m going back to simpler, kinder, and less contentious times . . . this past July.

Those are Forget-me-nots grown from seeds. Specifically, seed packets we handed out at Pop’s memorial (LINK).

Forget-me-nots are dainty . . . but it doesn’t mean bees ignore them.

That’s a solitary bee . . . more specifically, it’s (likely) a Carpenter bee.

These bees are sometimes mistaken for bumblebees (not the verbally challenged robot; the insect).

They share some traits with honeybees in that they are difficult to photograph in flight . . .

. . . this bee appears to have a tiny propeller . . . or, maybe, it’s an attachment to vacuum up as much pollen or nectar as possible.

Next up, a honeybee visiting one of the two large Salvia plants we have . . .

Readers might be wondering about the various bits and bumps on a bee’s head . . .

This site (LINK) will tell you more than you ever might have wanted to know.

This year, I kept the hummingbird feeders out well after the hummingbirds had all gone. Yup . . . feeding the bees. I finally took them down at the first freeze. if we have a warm spell, I’ll probably put a couple of them out in case some starving bees are on the prowl for some sugar water.

I like how they get their face completely into the flower . . . I’m also pleased when I get the wings in focus.

I’m especially pleased when I capture one in flight and it’s reasonably in focus.

Lots of insects like the salvia plants . . . including carpenter bees. I know, I know, I started with one, so why another?

Well, because I thought these photos are even better.

Why show the first ones, then?

. . . er . . . ah . . . Hey, look! A carpenter bee on salvia!

These photos have more details than the previous offerings, but I hate to slight any photos so I used the earlier photos as a buildup to these.

Through good luck, clean living, and FSM’s grace, these are sharp and with a decent depth of field. . . everything I like in a photo. And here’s a shot I don’t get often . . . a profile photo.

All of these are cropped, but not as much as one might imagine. Here’s one of the photos as shot and after cropping.

Did you happen to notice the other bug in the shot? Hint; it’s orange.

OK, let me end with two shots from above the bee, the second of which shows a lot of detail of the head.

Anyway, if at all interested in reading three tales about Envy, you now know where to find them (and where to vote for the one you like best or hate least) . . . you be got one week left.

By the way, all of the photos from these reminders are added to a SmugMug Gallery. Some of the photos are the same size as on the blog, but some have full-size versions. In case anyone is interested, that gallery is HERE<<link.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

<><><><o><><><><><o><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it’s copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intentions, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

Note 2: it’s perfectly OK to share a link that points back here.

<><><><o><><><><><o><><><>

If you’re new to this blog, it might be a good idea to read the FAQ page<<link. If you’re considering subscribing to this blog, it’s definitively a good idea to read both the About page<<link and the FAQ page<<link.