Joe and his wife were driving down a quiet road, their eyes on the poppy flowers lining the highway. The bright colors made them smile, and they pulled over to get a closer look. It was a warm day, and the air was sweet with the scent of flowers. They knelt down among the poppies, feeling the soft petals brush against their skin.
Suddenly, Joe’s wife noticed something else—a patch of orange, not far from the poppies. It was a Globe Mallow, and something wasn’t quite right. There was a faint buzzing, but the bees inside the flowers didn’t move. They just sat there, resting in the petals, looking peaceful. The flowers seemed like a little world all their own.
Joe was curious and knelt beside her. His heart lifted when he realized what he was seeing. These were no ordinary bees. They were part of a special group called “Diadasia diminuta,” tiny, beautiful creatures known for making nests in the hard dirt beside roads.
He took a picture, feeling lucky to have witnessed such a quiet moment. The bees, despite their busy lives, were taking a break, snuggled together in their own little corner of the world.
When Joe later shared the photo with his friends, he learned it was being featured in the November 2021 issue of National Geographic. It was a simple moment, but to him, it felt important. It reminded him that even the smallest creatures have their own stories, stories that can be shared and cherished by others.
And there, in the quiet stillness of the day, he felt a connection with the bees, with nature, and with the beauty that surrounds us every day, if only we take the time to notice.
