Holly Leivdal must have a green thumb, just look at all the Sunflowers she grew and they look to be quite tall. She said she will be planting sunflowers again next year, too. There were a couple things that she didn’t know would accompany growing sunflowers, one being that so many bees and butterflies would be attracted to them this time of year. Holly also had no idea that some of the bees would stay on the sunflowers overnight, when it got cold. She noticed them late in the evening, not moving, just sitting on the flowers. I didn’t know that either, so again I asked Google and found that bees become inactive or slow down significantly when it gets cold at night. So there’s your insect lesson for Wednesday!

I’m always excited when Visit Keweenaw puts out a new Crossing Place video. Their latest is: Mining Town to Ghost Town – Central Mine. The lead-in says: “There’s a certain romance to the past at Central Mine. In fall, the old apple trees are heavy with fruit, the trails wind through the woods, and the remains of this once-thriving mining town settle into the season. Come summer, the woods are green, the trails invite a little wandering, and the historic church opens its doors for Reunion Sunday, when descendants of Central Mine miners return to a place their families once called home. Nearly 1,300 people once called Central Mine home. Today, you can explore the seasonal visitor center and historic homes, wander the trails through the woods to the old school site, powder house and Shaft No. 4, and get a glimpse of what life was like in a Copper Country mining town more than a century ago. Some places hold onto their stories. Central Mine lets you walk right through them.”

Wow, who knew the bees slumber right there in
the flowers on a chilly night? Cool info! And
Holly’s sunflowers are so lovely, prettier still
with all the busy pollinators at work. Don’t
recall seeing Monarchs feeding on sunflowers
before, thanks so much for sharing!
Great video about the Central Mine too, a neat
Ghost Town absolutely worth a visit. Love how
the Church still hosts the annual reunion but
was not aware of the fall apple cider tradition.

Love those pics, especially the butterfly ones.

Bees experience "torpor", the cold knocks them out.
I had pics on in 2014, of a bee on my hand, blowing
on him to "wake" him up, when he did, off he flew.
What an experience!
Here's a link to that page in 2014: October 1, 2014

Beautiful pics today, and I really love that orange
sunflower! I would fill bird feeders all winter,
and the seed that fell, grew the next season, I
never planted a seed and would have 30+ flowers
growing, if they made it...those flower buds are
like candy to deer!

Beautiful pictures. Those butterflies are so cool
hanging out like that. My favorite is the 1st one
with the butterflies and bees. We've had monarchs
feasting on the hummingbird feeders. Nature is so
cool to watch.

Hi
Yesterday we found out the Hairy Woodpeckers like
hummingbird feeders. Today DebS tells out Monarch
butterflies are taking advantage of ther bounty. That's
great.