Of leaves and pollen

Tom the plasterer came around mid morning to skim the cloakroom. A two hour job, and hot work - he said he had never seen plaster go “off” so quickly. That will be the heat, it’s been a sticky day.

The leaf cutter bees have been equally busy. I decided to try catching a photo of one bringing a leaf segment back to the nest. I didn’t succeed, they were just too fast and I couldn’t get a flying bee in good focus. But a couple of efforts are included in the montage. I had more success at catching bees bringing back pollen, the food that will feed the future grub. Unlike honey and bumble bees leaf-cutters do not have a pollen “ basket” on the hind legs. Instead they have a pollen “ brush” under the abdomen. Loaded with pollen it becomes an effervescent yellow, as do the hairs around the face.