Hunt’s over the Penstemmon Cliff

Or something. A couple of out of focus guests in this one. This photo is so strange. From the focus to the couple of extra critters in it to the rock itself. Lots going on and all a little beyond what I’d imagine were I to imagine a bee picture. Nature does what it does. And so does the camera. And so do I.

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Been Waiting a While…Lavender

Wasn’t able to look for bees the past couple of days (art festival interfered), but today one lavender had a couple of bees. Just starting to open. Here’s a great Hunt’s bumble. Check out that orange pollen – huge chunk of it. Absolutely didn’t come from the lavender and I’m really curious about it. Happy lavender day.

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Hunt’s in Flight with Strange Light

This one sort of speaks for itself. It’s a great shot of the bee either approaching or departing. Look at that tongue! And just about everything else… Sometime I get lucky. The light, though, is fairly wonky. The bee isn’t.

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Vertical Hunt’s Bumble

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.

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Yesterday’s Bumble – Hunt’s Bumble Queen Over the Squills

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.

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Fatality in the Salvias

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.

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