Fly Bee - July 2020

It was a typical British summer's day for my photo shoot in dad's garden this week. It was warm, with blue and grey skies, the occasional breeze and the threat of a short sharp rain shower.

It had been a long time since I was fit enough to chase insects around the garden, but I decided to give it a go this week, and was rewarded with some lovely images.

My favourite of them all was this flying Leaf Cutter Bee (Megachile) as it buzzed between various Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) blooms stocking up on pollen.

Pollen Collection - July 2020

The Sweet Pea pollen must have been a particular favourite of the Leaf Cutter Bee, as there were dozens of them visiting various blooms.

Froghopper Hideout - July 2020

I was actually taking pictures of the Sweet Pea flower buds before I noticed any of the Bees, and came across this tiny Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius) - can you see him?

Froghopper Revealed - July 2020

Here's a closer crop from a different image.

Prowling Longhorn - July 2020

I was very pleased to find this Longhorn Beetle (Rutpela maculata) scrambling over some leaves. It was the first one I'd seen in the garden, where they'd been a regular visitor in the summer, in over six years!

Welcoming Arms - July 2020

There are always plenty of these little Crab Spiders (Misumena vatia) in attendance, and this one had chosen to set up camp within the yellow petals of Rose 'Peace'. It certainly wouldn't be a peaceful end for any unsuspecting bug that strayed too close!

Holly Blue - July 2020

There were also plenty of Holly Blue Butterflies (Celastrina argiolus) continuously flitting around. Thankfully, this one decided to sit still for long enough for me to grab a photo.

Eager Hoverfly - July 2020

Hoverflies (Syrphidae) were the dominant insect in the garden this week, and I must have counted at least ten different species. I liked how this one was so determined to grab pollen from the centre of the weed.

Singing Away - July 2020

Other than insects, there were Blackbirds (Turdus merula) everywhere! This one seemed to be following me around, serenading me as I snapped away.

Listening - July 2020

Another was more cautious, listening out for danger.

Chirping Child - July 2020

This juvenile was quite happy to sit in the same spot and chirp away, oblivious to the dangers of its surroundings.

Flying - July 2020

While this one gave only a cursory glance at the garden proceedings as it passed by overhead.

Feral Flyer - July 2020

Finally, just to prove that there were birds other than Blackbirds around, this Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) was also flying overhead, with a flock of his friends.

So this week I went with Fly Bee as my Image of the Week simply because it is the first time I've captured an in-focus image of a flying Leaf Cutter Bee...