Beautiful Bees

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The mild autumn weather means that there are still bees around. Late flowering plants such as devil’s bit scabious are great for providing vital pollen and nectar late in the season.

Bombus lucorum agg. Male
Bombus lucorum agg. Male

The Common carders are still busy in the garden, though all these photos were taken on a walk up Croaghmoyle last Sunday.

Bombus pascuorum
Bombus pascuorum

Many males bumblebees have distinct yellow faces so there is no problem handling them, as the males don’t have a sting. In fact, this little fellow seemed to quite enjoy the heat from my hand as it wasn’t a very warm day!

Bombus lucorum agg. Male
Bombus lucorum agg. Male

To see some lovely cuckoo bumblebees (and other great garden wildlife) check out Gardening Jules lovely Wildlife Wednesday post

16 thoughts on “Beautiful Bees”

  2. Julie

    I have just been back to your site, looking for your name, will you please remind me? Handling a Carder bumblebee must be a lovely experience. I’ve noticed some scabious in flower and silene has sprung up in this last week on the field edges but otherwise its slim pickings for late bees here, possible why we see more in cultivated gardens.

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    1. Murtagh's Meadow Post author

      That’s why our gardens are so important for all bees – so much of our natural wild flower habitats have disappeared. Karina

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  3. susurrus

    I wish I had the knack of knowing which the male bees are. These are lovely pictures. It isn’t easy to get good shots of bees. They are so heavy, they tend to make the flowers sway about and they rarely keep still, unless they’re sleeping in a flower, which I have seen.

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    1. Murtagh's Meadow Post author

      It was a cool day so they were pretty sluggish – a good way to get close. Another tip is to take lots of photos and then at least one has to be reasonable! At least that is what I do!

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  7. Jane

    I admire the male Carder bumblebee picture sitting on your hand for its beauty, your confidence and knowledge! Saw the cuckoo bumblebee on Jules’ site – what a delight to see it crossing from one flower to another with its little hairy legs. Smashing.

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    1. Murtagh's Meadow Post author

      Actually the one on my hand is a white tailed bumble – sorry it’s the way I laid out post – I’ve made it bit confusing!

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