April Bumble Bees In The Backyard - Chicago
The flowering abundance and sunny warm temperatures had bees buzzing about.
Look at the size of these bumbles! Fat queens ready to lay a colony.
Do they have an urban tough look or what?
This one has me puzzled. A bald spot? Seemed very aggressive as well. Chased me and the camera inside.Later the bees were covered in pollen but I must have been put off by the earlier aggression because none of the pictures were clear...lol
ID of the bald spotted bee from UIUC Bee Spotter
Bombus bimaculatus - Twospotted Bumble Bee
ID of the bald spotted bee from UIUC Bee Spotter
Bombus bimaculatus - Twospotted Bumble Bee
Answer to question about bald spot...
Hello Gloria,
Thanks for your message. The hairs that cover a bee's body are subject to wear, and when a bee gets older, it is not unusual for the thorax to get a bit bald dorsally. Plus remember, bumble bees that we are seeing now have been around since back in late summer 2008; the one that you photographed might have had something of a rough winter.
Best regards,Terry Harrison
Thanks for your message. The hairs that cover a bee's body are subject to wear, and when a bee gets older, it is not unusual for the thorax to get a bit bald dorsally. Plus remember, bumble bees that we are seeing now have been around since back in late summer 2008; the one that you photographed might have had something of a rough winter.
Best regards,Terry Harrison
posted by Gloria at 11:05 AM
7 Comments:
Strange bee behaviour.....I have never personally experienced anything like that....
Beautiful photographs I have to say and beautiful bees.......
Yes it was strange,usually the bees don't seem bothered by the camera.
Today it is raining again so I am glad the bumble queens had a few warm sunny days to collect nectar and pollen.
Yes, wonderful bumblebee pictures! Looks like spring has arrived. Today we had record-breaking heat (nearly triple digits) so summer is here for So Cal.
Barbara,too hot for me. I'll just visit Southern California in the winter thank you.
Nice close ups!
Happy Earth Day :)
Beautiful dogwood (?) and cool bees! I have seen lots of small bees so far this spring,
Oh yes! I have seen so many bees of all shapes and sizes in the garden already!
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