Blooming Common Mullein in the Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahBlooming Common Mullein in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

During spring, summer, and fall if I don’t have birds in front of me while I am in the field I often look around for insects, wildflowers, trees, or shrubs to photograph. Before I started focusing most of my attention on birds I photographed all kinds of insects and flora. I also have had a life-long unquenchable thirst to learn about as much as I can about the nature that surrounds me so I am always paying attention.

Two days ago in between taking Willow Flycatcher photos  in the Wasatch Mountains I took blooming Common Mullein images because they were nearby.

Common Mullein and a bumble bee, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahCommon Mullein and a bumble bee – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

While I photographed the flowering mulleins I also captured bumble bees in a few of the frames that I took which delighted me.

As a child I learned that the leaves of Common Mulleins were as soft as flannel and enjoyed feeling the texture with my hands. I didn’t appreciate the flowers as much as I did touching the velvety soft leaves in North America and in Germany.

Common Mullein and two bumble bees, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahCommon Mullein and two bumble bees – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

In this photo there are two Hunt’s Bumble Bees, the blooms of the Common Mullein, an ant below the top bumble bee, and an out of focus blooming Musk Thistle in the background.

Although the Common Mullein isn’t native to North America when it is blooming it attracts plenty of native bees and other insects.

Blooming Common Mullein and a bumble bee in flight, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahBlooming Common Mullein and a bumble bee in flight – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I enjoyed photographing the blooming Common Mulleins almost as much as I did the Willow Flycatcher. I thoroughly adore having nature in my viewfinder.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos. Click here to see my insect and spider galleries.