Ivy Poster Boy

Still not that many visitors to my ivy bush but I've seen ivy bees over the past few days. They're are from the plasterer bee family and were new to science in 1993. They were first recorded in the UK in 2001. The females are about the same size as a honey bee but the males a bit smaller and the first to emerge. My poster boy has unfortunately lost part of an antenna. I've added another image of him to extras.

I went to my sister's in Burnham-on-Crouch this morning to discuss plans for dealing with our errant nephew. There was an accident in Chelmsford that closed the road for ages. I had plenty of time whilst waiting to reflect on all the trouble he has caused for me. :( I made my sister laugh when I told her that I couldn't stop singing, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Of course with Maria replaced with our nephew's name.