a balm for the bees

i had a hard time picking these today to photograph. they were loaded with bees. my only solace was that there was A LOT of it.  i appreciate these flowers most when they are in their just-barely-blooming jester hat phase, more than when they are in their fully open tonsured-monk phase. either way, i am grateful for their presence–a candy store for honey bees.

wild bergamot, wild bee balm (Monarda fistulosa)