Isn't she? I just wanted to pet her, she looks so soft! (I am not that daft yet, however. They are docile but *do* sting).
I have no idea what to name her. Bella? I like Bella better than Bonita, but I'm not completely sold on it (one of the little demons that used to live next door was named Bella - feels like bad mojo now).
So pretty! I love bees. We have little tiny ones that hum all over the palo verde trees when they bloom in spring, and the bigger honey bees that love the purple sage bushes by the studio. I can get some pretty good shots of them with the purple flowers and the pollen sacs on their legs.
There's just something about bees isn't there? I love watching them in the flowers, and they never bother you like jellowjackets or flies, or mosquitoes... they just go about their business. :)
You're welcome - I'm glad everyone enjoys seeing these as much as I do. Her bands aren't nearly as blue as some I've seen previously, but the camera lost a lot of her blue hue as well; the bands came out much whiter looking than they are.
I've seen shiny blue wasps and blue flies (blue bottles) but never blue bees. Interesting. :)
I've got what looks like small fat (almost round) bees (might be bumble bees) half the size of the regular honey bees that are really fuzzy (looks like a flying ball of fluff) with white and black stripes instead of yellow and black.
And something that is the size of a large fruit beetle, fuzzy, yellow and black stripes that people keep telling me is a hornet but I don't think so.
Also wood borer bees that are busy making house in the roof beam right next to the log we put up for them last year.
There are also a few types of small, skinny bee-looking insects which I suspect are bee-mimicking flies.
The small bee-looking insects you think are flies: do they hover? We have some the match your description that pollinate our avocado trees and they are a type of fly.
MT said the same thing - couldn't believe she just sat there and let me invade her space. Neither could I, really; usually they're impossible to photograph because there's always buzzing around, never staying in one flower very long (unlike the Bettys). I'm thinking since it was the end of the day, she was relaxing a bit, doing a bit of grooming, before heading to her nest.
These have to be some of the most beautiful bees I've ever seen. We also have another solitary that's all over metallic blue and green, and it's definitely eye-catching - total bling - but this one is still my favorite. Her shape, color and furriness are all perfect. :D
You're welcome - I never gave much thought to there being bees other than the honeybee and bumble bee either; and if I did I always assumed they just looked the same. It wasn't until this beauty first showed up in my garden a few years ago that I learned about the infinite variety of bees and how different they can look. It's been fascinating. :)
I have no idea what to name her. Bella? I like Bella better than Bonita, but I'm not completely sold on it (one of the little demons that used to live next door was named Bella - feels like bad mojo now).
I kinda hate that he's so damn good at the naming thing. ;-)
From the Festive Season posts -- http://lindahilton.booklikes.com/post/1628230/16-tasks-of-the-festive-season-square-6-bodhi-day
http://www.aussiebee.com.au/Images/lestis-bee-siegel-2.jpg
I've got what looks like small fat (almost round) bees (might be bumble bees) half the size of the regular honey bees that are really fuzzy (looks like a flying ball of fluff) with white and black stripes instead of yellow and black.
And something that is the size of a large fruit beetle, fuzzy, yellow and black stripes that people keep telling me is a hornet but I don't think so.
Also wood borer bees that are busy making house in the roof beam right next to the log we put up for them last year.
There are also a few types of small, skinny bee-looking insects which I suspect are bee-mimicking flies.
https://www.whatsthatbug.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/carpenter_bee_south_africa_alan.jpg
The small bee-looking insects you think are flies: do they hover? We have some the match your description that pollinate our avocado trees and they are a type of fly.
Might be a carpenter bee but it's got more white and lots more fuzz.
These have to be some of the most beautiful bees I've ever seen. We also have another solitary that's all over metallic blue and green, and it's definitely eye-catching - total bling - but this one is still my favorite. Her shape, color and furriness are all perfect. :D