A day that started grey, brightened up and was then drowned in hail and cloudburst rain gained me three new species for the year on campus.
The action was mainly centred around the cherry laurel that has now come into pungent bloom. As soon as the day had warmed up enough to wake them up, these shrubs were surrounded by fast flying little mining bees of some description, hardly ever settling to feed.
When I did get a photo, it baffled iNaturalist, but later research by myself led me to believe they were chocolate mining bees. They are quite understated compared to some of the other mining bees, but still an attractive find.
Only one of the next species, but rather easier to photograph was the ever dapper ashy mining bee, Steed from The Avengers in apian form. I don't see many of these, so to get one early in the season was a bonus.
Finally, on a rosemary bush that the law says you have to crush the leaves and smell, was the first (not so) early bumblebee of the season.
A rather nice trifecta, I'm sure you'll agree.
Si
All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 15.04.26
Love the bees! Surprised it is your first Bumble Bee thogh, as I see them before most other bees - queens looking for nests I think.
ReplyDeleteFirst early bumblebee - I've seen the queens of a few other species! Thank you for commenting!
ReplyDeleteAha! Thought you just meant an early bee.... lol!
DeleteThere's a colony of Chocolate Mining Bees behind one of our local surpermarkets, generally being parasitised by cuckoo bees and bee flies. Fascinating to watch the whole intereaction. I'm always disappointed however that Chocolate Mining Bees don't actually mine chocolate.
ReplyDeleteI know, should sue them!
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