Though lacking a certain pizzazz, a certain, ahem…. radioactivity found elsewhere in New Mexican chamisa, our backyard shrubs bloom gloriously each fall and right when our beehives need the protein for winter. As we speak, the lurid market is open for business.
Chamisa (Ericameria nauseosa) may smell like a wet armpit and cause allergies to flare, but it’s xeric and reliable and a tasty high-protein sunburst for both native and European bees.
Pollen baskets full from the chamisa market
mistress beek 
Love the photo – the bees are working overtime to get ready for winter.
Funny, Sunset Magazine never mentioned the possibility of getting irradiated while visiting NM 🙂
Great shot!
Thanks you both! I’ve always envied photogs who capture bees in flight and so stalked mine for awhile this week to attempt my own image.