Bees of many kinds

As the year progresses, almost by the day, we're seeing more and more different species of bee visiting the garden.

Leaf-cutter bee

Never has there been a time when I've been a little in two minds about wanting a species of bee to visit the garden. More the merrier has always been my attitude - until now. If you'd seen how much damage this leaf-cutter bee has done to the leaves of the climbing rose, you may also be in two minds. But, on balance, I'm very glad to see this bee visiting the garden. It is undeniably fascinating to watch it at work, ploughing through the leaves of your favourite plants. I'm just thankful they aren't here in large numbers. It's been such a cold and grey day today that, when not much else was flying, I was quite surprised to see it out and about.

Leaf-Cutter Bee (Megachile centuncularis)

Until next time,
Claude
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Wasps and a not so busy bee

Over the past couple of days I've not had much time out in the garden with my camera. Frank assured me that he had credible intelligence which suggested that we should expect an invasion from a troop of anarchic badgers. So, I've actually been doing some proper work - guarding the garden from advancing mustelids. A busy bee I may have been, but I did get a chance to grab some quick pictures of some of the garden's regular visitors.


This wasp was back and forth most of the afternoon to collect water from the natural wells within the teasel. He'd fly off and return again a few moments later.

Out of the pool and into the evening sun

We have an old uprooted tree stump out in the garden. Despite it gradually being eaten away by its many visitors, we instinctively seem to use as a very rustic seat. It's a regular haunt of my current favourite visitor to the garden, the blue mason bee. I often find it, and many other small insects, sitting on it as they bask in the last of the late evening sun.

Blue mason bee (Osmia caerulescens)

There are also a lot of tiny wasps out in the garden this week. They seem perfectly fond of the tiny flowers on the Herchura.

Until next time,
Claude
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Medley of a grey day

Today, for the most part, it's been a dull grey day here. But here's a couple of quick snaps that I managed between some well needed garden weeding.

Very brave caterpillar on very spiky teasels

Tiger Crane Fly (Nephrotoma flavescens)

Small Magpie Moth (Eurrhypara hortulata)




Small Magpie Moth (Eurrhypara hortulata)

The green green grass of home

Obligatory Bee picture

House hunting

This tiny blue mason bee was out house hunting last week. She seemed to check every little hole in our makeshift archway to check for suitability. I have no idea whether she made up her mind. I will keep an eye out next time I'm in the garden. But, to my mind at least, she is the cutest of little flying things.

Until next time,
Claude
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Oh, to bee a little less confused about bees

If bees could talk I would sincerely hope that they'd inform me of exactly which species they are...

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

Blue Mason Bee (Osmia caerulescens)

I think this tiny beauty is some kind of early mining bee

Until next time,
Claude
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