The Birds and the Bees

Seems like more than three days since I've posted. Just had to show some garden pictures. Today the weather calls for severe thunderstorms possible off and on all day and into the night. We have weather watches in our immediate area and sunshine in between. I took these photos in the midst of a "sunny" spell. Feels like a "steam oven" right now!

Out back: astillbe, bee balm, ivy geraniums, impatiens, butterfly bush.

Here's one of my little guys with our cat, Mickey, under the deck bench. He was trying to pet Mickey.  Mickey has allergies and we forgot to get his injection, so his nose is all spotty. Poor guy. So negligent are we.

Now, maybe you can tell me if this is a carpenter bee. We have had them drilling holes in our pergola, but my sister, who identified them, hasn't told me what they look like. She saw a special on carpenter bees.

Have a super wonderful day!!!

Lady Gardener