Carpenter Bee

I am not exaggerating when I say this bee was as big as my thumb! Luckily for me he didn't seem to mind me sticking my camera in his face. I was able to get quite a few close up shots.

The carpenter bee is so-called because of its habit of excavating tunnels in wood with its strong jaws. The round half-inch diameter entrance holes are usually found on the underside of a board. A tell-tale trace of coarse sawdust is often found on the surface beneath the hole.

The flower he is enjoying is a Verbascum "Bold Queen."