A new bee…every day
Posting a few days in advance. Heading out to Fountain Hills, AZ for the art festival there.
A Hunt’s bumble perched at the top of a liatris bud/stalk. That bedhead bee. Interesting that this one throws white pollen. And lots of it. A favorite of the pollinators…and one you should plant if you have the space.
Apparently, this is a Hunt’s bumble queen. I usually call the Hunt’s “the bedhead bee” because it looks so unkempt. Apparently the queen pays more attention to her grooming than the other gals. Who knew? This one looks well kempt.
So stupid cold lately. 24 degrees as of this writing…which most likely means the bees will be hunkering down today. Spring in Utah. Shouldn’t complain. Beautiful, really.
This is a great photo, but it’s pretty disturbing. This Hunt’s bumble got ambushed by an ambush bug and it’s going to work on dinner now. I see this several times a year…the outcome I mean. And often see the ambush bugs hunting in the gardens. Circle of life and all that, I guess, but I’m cheering for the bees to get away.
Great view of this beadhead bee. Love the pollen on its eye. I say ‘its’ because while most honeybees that you see are female, this one might be a drone bumble. Can’t tell.
I think. Still with beadhead. This polar vortex storm is making a mess here in the rockies. Eight or ten inches of snow, but lots more has fallen (and melted). And it’s still snowing strong. Those poor crocuses in the vanguard. They’re pretty hearty, but they’re probably wondering what’s happened to spring. So have I. However…it’s been the driest winter that I can remember (but that’s not a great metric) and we need the moisture.
It’s one of those things…you know it’s good, but it’s sure seems lousy when it’s happening. Something about perspective. When the reservoirs are full and I see the water on the garden this summer, maybe I’ll remember this morning and think a little. Probably a lesson in there somewhere… Ha!
The beadhead bee again. Great tongue on this one. Another day, another bee… A bit exhausted from yesterday’s spammery.
Love this shot. Love this bee. Love this flower. Not open very far yet, but you can see that it’s already starting to throw pollen. Should be back from a trip to Yellowstone today. Hopefully some good shots?!?!
