Wednesday 29 April 2020

Dandelion Appreciation Society

 In these strange times that we currently live in, restricted to only exercising in the very local area, it's good to pay attention to those things that sometimes we might overlook. Such as the very common wildflowers that we see every day.  Such as dandelions, which many people dislike as weeds.  However, dandelions  are a wonderful splash of colour on a dull day, have a wide range of health benefits (see for example, this article) and rabbits love them. Pollinating insects also love them. I recently discovered the Dandelion Appreciation Society on Twitter!


Our local graveyards, where we take our #DailyExercise walks, are full of dandelions!

sone of which are already turning to seed


When we are walking round the cemeteries we often see insects enjoying the dandelions:

Here's a small tortoiseshell butterfly 

This is a Syrphus sp hoverfly, a species often found on dandelions



and finally these solitary bees looks to really be enjoying the dandelions



the photo above also shows clearly some of the details of the flower-head (which is in reality made up of loads of tiny individual flowers).

So if you have dandelions in your garden, please consider keeping them for the pollinators, you may well be rewarded with some interesting visitors! 

For Nature Notes and  My Corner of the World.






15 comments:

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

dandelions are so cheerful and you can use them to make dandelion syrup!

Jenn Jilks said...

Your season is so far ahead of ours!
I love dandelions!!!

Gershon Ben-Avraham said...

I really like the final photo! I enlarged it. That bee seems to be having a great time.

Dartford Warbler said...

Yesterday we watched a goldfinch, eating all the seeds from a dandelion clock held in his claw.

almtsbb said...

Dandelion is a prime flower for honey bees. Which we all need to cultivate because they pollinate the food we grow.

Caroline Gill said...

Terrific post, CGP, and you have beaten me to it as I've also been collecting photos of insects on dandelions (just the ones in our garden) with a view to posting once I feel I have enough to make a start...

Heidi R. said...

Could the bee be a longhorn bee?
I'm happy to see which insects fly to the dandelion in Scotland. The 'Little Fox' (small tortoiseshell) is beautiful!

Magyar said...

Ahhh... such warming photos of nature, Juliete; too, grandly fitting photos_!

one dandelion
through a crack in the concrete
a push of nature

This, from one of my scribble books, so long ago. _m

Birgitta said...

I really like dandelions, it means spring is here, but today it is snowing and hail is falling...

Veronica Lee said...

I love dandelions and you've captured them beautifully!

betty-NZ said...

They are quite colorful bits when other flowers aren't around. And they have their own beauty.

Thanks for taking part at 'My Corner of the World' this week! It's good to see you.

Bill said...

my grandchildren
blowing dandelion seeds
I make a wish

And best wishes to you, Juliet

Rambling Woods said...

You know how I feel about them..My neighbors spray, dig and get rid of every single one...We don't and it probably annoys them which is OK with me...Michelle

Powell River Books said...

Last week I shared Dandelions. Must be a sign of the season. - Margy

Monika Ohson | TravelerInMe said...

The yellow of the dandelions is such a bright mood up lifter. Walk amidst nature's abundance is the best therapy.