Thursday, October 13, 2016

I did not suspect such a congregation in the desolate garden.

October 12.

witch hazel
October 12, 2018

It is interesting to see how some of the few flowers which still linger are frequented by bees and other insects. 

Their resources begin to fail and they are improving their last chance. I have noticed them of late, especially on white goldenrod and pasture thistles, etc.; and to-day, on a small watermelon cut open ten days ago, in the garden, I see half a dozen honey bees, many more flies, some wasps, a grasshopper, and a large handsome butterfly, with dark snuff-colored wings and a stripe of blue eyes on them. The restless bees keep buzzing toward the butterfly, but it keeps them off by opening and shutting its wings, but does not much mind the other insects. I did not suspect such a congregation in the desolate garden.

Wasps for some time looking about for winter quarters.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, October 12, 1856

I did not suspect such a congregation in the desolate garden.
 See September 30, 1852 ("I feel the richer for this experience. It taught me that even the insects in my path are not loafers, but have their special errands. Not merely and vaguely in this world, but in this hour, each is about its business.")


Wasps for some time looking about for winter quarters.
See August 21, 1852 ("See The bees, wasps, etc. are on the goldenrods, improving their time before the sun of the year sets"); August 29, 1851 ("I find a wasp in my window, which already appears to be taking refuge from winter"); September 10, 1859 ("See wasps, collected in the sun on a wall, at 9 A. M."); September 26, 1857 ("The season is waning. A wasp just looked in upon me."); October 2, 1851 ("At the Cliffs, I find the wasps prolonging their short lives on the sunny rocks, just as they endeavored to do at my house in the woods.") See also A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau. Wasps and Hornets

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