The Last Bees of the Year

 The weather is misty grey and damp, but it is also rather mild. Hence I've been able to get out and take a look at the ivy plant at the far end of the campus badlands, and see who is about. 

We don't get ivy mining bees on this ivy bush; it might be a bit noisy and dirty for them here as the heavy traffic thunders by on the A46 emitting heaven only knows what pollutants into the air. But the honeybees were feeding off the remnants of the ivy flowers. 

Because it isn't exactly high summer, the bees were quite low energy and were thus fairly easy to photograph. 

They can't be on the wing for much longer, and the sad months of the year start. October and November, everything goes to sleep, and the colours of campus become green and brown, with the stark remains of this years teasel silhouetted against the sunsets. Late December, the first snowdrops emerge and the cycle begins anew.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 16.10.24

Studies in Bees

 We are now into October, the middle month of autumn and it is true that the nights are chilly even if the odd day has a bit of warmth when the sun shines, 

You know the cold is coming when late into the night you see the stars of Orion peeping over the rooftops. 

Nonetheless, there are still pollinators about; large white butterflies to watch while I have my tea at Rumbles cafe, and bees and wasps upon ivy flowers, sedum and - at my workplace - coral berry flowers which are a major attraction for both bees and bumbles alike in this late season. 

I always find joy in their autumn flight, it takes my mind off the "dead months" until the snowdrops appear in December. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 03.10.22

2022's First Honey Bees

 Trying to forget all the awfulness around at the moment is important, and so on my walks I'm trying to be extra mindful of what I might see. 

It takes your mind off things for a few minutes. 

It's fair to say that this Spring is not exactly very Spring-like yet; it is cold, wet, and windy and the rare days on which the sun is out are off-set by low temperatures and a biting breeze.

That being said, when the sun is out I have seen a few insects out on a couple of days. The gorse bush at work had a busy little group of bees working on it last week, and today the cemetery crocus carpets had some hardy worker bees gathering pollen on them today. 

I've still only seen the one bumble close up, and it is far too cold for the first brimstones to be on the wing. I have my wildflower meadow flowers to plant, probably next weekend.

Got to keep doing positive things, no matter how small.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.03.22

More Life in the Ivy

 The ivy bush where I found my first ivy bee the other week has seemingly gone past its best, like all the autumnal world seems to, but in Sconce and Devon Park there were bushes that were in their full coronavirus flower, and these were alive with insects.

I see pictures of ivy plants swarming with red admiral butterflies, but I've never yet seen a butterfly on an ivy flower. Once again, these bushes were home to hoverflies, honeybees, wasps, and this time a bumblebee.

And there was another ivy bee too, with its beautiful yellow-orange striped abdomen. It's funny when you notice a species for the first time, you suddenly can't stop noticing them.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 21.09.21

Bimbling to Farndon

 This afternoon I decided to head out to Farndon, specifically to take a look at Cottage Lane nature reserve to see what I might see. 

As it turned out, there wasn't actually a lot going on, it seems to be a place that explodes into colour later in the summer. The chief plant growing was I think lady's smock, and not a whole lot else. 

However, as is often the case, the journey is better than the objective, and today the dandelions were a fruitful source of photo opps, with honey bees, solitary bees and a stunning peacock butterfly all nectaring off the mini yellow suns.

The fields next to the river will soon go yellow too, with buttercups, but not quite yet. 

Swallows are around over the river, but not seeing any house martins yet. Soon there will be swifts, although signs indicate they will be late this year.

I don't blame them, given the cool weather.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 26.04.21

Just a Few Workplace Ppics

 There has been much subtle colour and beauty on campus lately, the last few raggedy butterflies making the most of the Indian Summer, bees feeding where they can, flashes of floral colour from among the uncut grass. 

Soon we lose it all until January, when it all begins again...

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 17.09.20

Mr Bee Says "Spring has Sprung"!

I've been on both walking and running duty today, on what has been a glorious day, highly pleasant in the sun if you can escape from the wind.

Certainly two bees agreed, for they were out harvesting the cemetery crocuses, and getting well sprinkled in rich yellow pollen. They were slightly slower moving than usual this early in the season, or else I suspect I'd never have been able to catch them on the wing. Terrible Motorola phone camera notwithstanding and for which I apologise endlessly until the death of the Universe, I'm quite pleased by how these pictures have turned out.

On the decision of some telepathic bee council of Britain, it has been declared the Spring has Sprung, because I've seen so many reports and photographs of bees and bumbles on the wing today.

I hope spring has arrived where you are too!

Si

Think I'll give this one a miss

Not so keen on this one either

OK, where too next?

This one looks good

PAAAAARRRRTTTYYYY!!!!!

All the Bees!

Out came the sun, off a running went mr crackered, and on my trusty mobile phone camera, I pictured all the bees! These pictures were taken mainly in the library park and also South Parade park, and I post this mixture of honey bees and bumbles with no further comment, for your apid pleasure!