Seems like the insects and hummingbirds are coming through and visiting these flowers. Recently I saw a beetle going into the flowers and feeding on the pollen from what I could tell. Not sure what kind it is, but was quite the sight to see it just walking all around inside the flower.
 Camera Model | Lumix GH6 |
|---|---|
 Lens | Olympus MSC ED M. 60mm Macro lens |
 Filter | none |
 Aperture | f/8 |
 Shutter Speed | 1/250 sec |
 Film Speed | 100 |
 Spectrum | Visual Light |
 Wavelength | 380 through 700 nanometers |
 Location | Central Virginia USA. |
It is pretty camouflaged, as its close to the same color as the flower.
It did not seem to mind me there, just went about its business.
Visiting another found I found a different beetle. This time resting or just sitting inside the flower.
It eventually got up and went walking around.
Cool to see them climbing into the flowers like that. Most of what visits these flowers is flying, a bee or fly or a hummingbird. So cool to see ground based bugs also visiting them. Hope the spines did not get in its way too much.
Seems it was mostly after the pollen, I think the nectar is in the center.
Hopefully its a happy bug with whatever it got from the flower.