Bumblebeebums

The white-bummed bee was a little sticky winged after the heavy showers, and was doing gymnastics to reach adjacent flowers rather than flying. The red-bummed one had been sheltering and was buzzing about more actively.

I used to naively think that it would be quite straightforward to identify bees, after all there are not many to choose from, only 6 species are at all common and likely to be found in gardens. Think again, the sexes are often different, the queens can be different too, and there are different forms in some species. White bum could be either Bombus lucorum or B. terrestris. Red bum is almost certainly B. lapidarius.

Photo-opportunites were rare today as I spent the good part of the day dismantling the shelves in the airing cupboard ready for the new hot water tank, and when I came out, it was raining. Oh well. Maybe it will clear up for a Gus walk along the estuary.