Hawaiian Honey Bees In Heather?

I was visiting a property the other day and when I walked by this pretty plant with purple flowers in the front yard, the most incredible "humming" could be heard? I looked closer and it was ALIVE with bees! It was almost like they were swarming. I could not have laid my open hand on the bush with out covering at least 3 bees! And they were so wrapped up in the flowers that they completely ignored my presence, so I could get nice and close.

I have no idea what the plant is, hence the title, does anyone know? Very pretty, compact, low growing bush with no thorns. And I really could not catch any scent of note either.

A Wild Bamboo Orchid and Its Friend...

This lovely Bamboo Orchid is growing wild in a subdivision called Hawaiian acres in our Puna District. The climate in Hawaii is extremely suitable for Orchids and we have many varieties that choose to grow wild now, but this is probably the most prolific variety. I have seen whole fields of these blooming and it is just beautiful. They are called Bamboo Orchids because the stem resembles the bamboo stalk.

I hadn't realized until I got this photo on my computer but this orchid had a little friend...check out the very top petal on the left hand side and you can see him peering from behind the flower, here is a close up (sorry the quality of the close up is so yucky!).

Isn't he cute! I think it was one of the bees that were enjoying the sunshine & blooming flowers...

Yellow Ohias and Happy Honey Bees!

These bees enjoyed this rare Yellow Ohia even more than I did! Usually the Ohia bloom is a bright primary red but Occasionally they come in a few other color variants, yellow is rare but very beautiful...

Ohia trees are used for many things in Hawaii, the new leaves and blooms for Leis and decoration, and the wood itself for fence post, house railings, furniture (similar to twig furniture), and a especially pretty piece of wood (usually the whole tree trunk) about 6-10 inches around, may be used as a corner post or a feature point on a stairway, etc... we also get really tasty Ohia Flower Honey from our friends the Honey bees!