Buzzzy Bees

[Catherine]

I wasn't all that pleased with the varieties of Cosmos we tried this year as the flowers were rather small - but they WERE a magnet for Bumblebees - so I've forgiven them!

Red-tailed Bumblebees are shown in the first 3 pics, then a White-tailed one is in the next three - while I THINK the last one is a Honey Bee, managing to get into the centre of every rose to collect his precious cargo!

The Bumblebee Conservation website says that Bumblebees can be sexed by looking at their antennae. A male's are straight or curved, whereas a female's have 'elbow joints'! I think the second Red-tailed one is a female therefore - but am unsure of the others!

[rolf]

Just goes to show, insects are possibly more attracted to small flowers, nice series of shots Catherine.

[ladylouise62]

I understood that bees liked Cosmos - and apparently , whatever the size! For some reason I LOVE That first shot - that shape/lines/colour fading really appeals to me, and it looks like the bee is clinging on for dear life

As for the sex of the bees - how rude, staring at their bits!!!