Beloved by Bees

A bee takes off from an ornamental globe thistle (Echinops) in our front garden.

Bees (and butterflies) are very fond of these flowers.

I hadn't intended to follow yesterday's caterpillars on their ragwort with another image of insects and their flowering haunts, but I couldn't resist showing this photograph. Given that these thistles are right by a buddleia bush, now in full flower, perhaps I had better look out for a butterfly shot...