Some fields along my journey to and from work contain a lovely combination of pink Rosebay Willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), purple Buddleia and white Wild carrot (Daucus carota) flowers. Not only do they compliment one another visually but they are all loved by pollinators too. Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) has started to bloom along the roadside as well.
One special moment occurred on the Monday. As I worked within a border I noticed a Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) queen flying around a patch of grass. Eventually she began to settle and after a few more large sweeping flights began making a nest in the lawn.
She will remain under ground until spring when she will start her own colony.
It was also great to finally get some photos of insects that have have alluded my photographic capture so far this year.
– The first is the Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta),
– Some Hoverflies, including a Hornet mimic (Volucella zonaria) hoverfly,
– as well as a Male False oil beetle (Oedemera nobilis), to compliment the female one seen on a walk earlier in the year.
The males are easily identified due to their large metallic thighs, explaining the reason behind the other common name for this insect the Swollen-thighed beetle.
Bee in the Moment 