Western Bumble Bee

Bombus occidentalis, the Western Bumble Bee, has several color forms or patterns. Color forms refer the coloration of the bumble bee with respect to the location of the hairs on its body. Solid areas of colors often present as bands; sometimes they can also take the form of patches or spots. If two hair colors… Continue reading Western Bumble Bee

California Bumble Bee

The photos above are of three female California bumble bees. The bee at the upper left is feeding on flowers of Verbena de la Mina in my backyard. It may be difficult to see, but she has inserted her tongue into a flower to feed on nectar. I photographed the two bumble bees at the… Continue reading California Bumble Bee

Black-tailed Bumble Bee

Where I live the Black-tailed Bumble Bee is usually the first species I see in January or February, depending on local conditions. On a walk last winter I stopped by a small community park near my house. The date was February 15, 2024. The park has a few native plant cultivars, including three manzanita shrubs.… Continue reading Black-tailed Bumble Bee

Triptych

Panel One: a male Valley Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sonorina), collects nectar from Narrow Leaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) blossoms. On the Sunrise Trail in Conejo Open Space, May 27, 2022. Panel Two: a Lorquin’s Admiral (Limenitis lorquini) collects nectar from Black Sage (Salvia mellifera) blossoms. On the Sunrise Trail in Conejo Open Space, May 27, 2022.… Continue reading Triptych