La maison des insectes

After a few mild days in Florida, it was time for me to return to winter -- or rather, à l'hiver.  I arrived in France on a warm and sunny day, which was abruptly followed by several days of bitterly cold winds and snow flurries, then several more days of rain and sleet.  Nevertheless, many early spring flowers were blooming and I was determined to see them -- and check them for insects and spiders.

Crocuses blooming in the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris.

However, there did not seem to be any insects that were similarly determined to disregard the weather and visit the flowers.  After finding a sign warning that there was a 'danger' of bees, I had a bit of hope that I might at last encounter some insects.

"Do not walk on the lawn. Danger bees."

Yet, even at the headquarters of the dangerous bees, all was quiet.

The hives of the danger bees.

Apparently, the bees were spending a quiet day at home in their hives.  Meanwhile, were all the other insects left to fend for themselves in the elements?  Mais, non!  They could retreat to their very own refuges within the Maison des Insectes.

A shelter for many other beneficial insects.

Explore some more: Build your own insect house