I'd been wondering where all the red tailed bumblebees have been this spring; I've not been able to photograph one, and have barely seen any at all.
Today, as the weather warmed and brightened in the afternoon, they were suddenly everywhere in the nature garden area of campus.
After a disastrous 2025, the mini meadows have recovered somewhat, and today buttercups were attracting many of these velvety, firey-tailed worker bumbles.
Nearby, on the rock cransebill, a big queen red tailed bumble was at work, her mighty body bending the delicate stems of these flowers almost onto the ground. It's a relief to see them on the wing again.
Nearby, found a lovely holly blue butterfly too.
Around campus there are currently many clumps of ox eye daisies, and one one of these sunshine-meets-fried-egg flowers, I came across another welcome returnee - the characterful and glittering swollen thighed flower beetle.
They are wonderful little insects, and I hope you have met one too this spring!
Si
All images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 22.05.26
Here too we have seen masses of bees busy enjoying the sunshine. The holly blue in your photos is such a wonderful colour. I have seen that type of beetle in the past but not one this year yet. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteLovely clear photos. Worrying about the different bumblebees is rather funny, perhaps the flower heads are not yet ready for the bees.
ReplyDeleteOddly, I've seen more Red tailed bumblebees than normal this year, but fewer of other species of bumblebees.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone!
ReplyDelete