A couple of Solitary bees

[alfbranch]

A couple of solitary bees from today
I do not know the species but they could be male and female the way they buzzing around.

This is possibly Andrena Clarkella

Solitary bee by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Solitary bee 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr

What do you think?

 

[gilbouk]

Nice detailed and natural pictures. Out of curiosity, did you do these on a tripod or hand held. I'm always curious as to technique used . Good way to learn.

Not sure what they might be up to, it's certainly still very cold up here, so wouldn't expect to see bees for a while yet

 

[davholla]

You can tell sex by number of segments
http://articles.extension.org/pages/29762/characters-used-in-identifying-bees
"The apical, or last, 10 - 11 segments of the antenna form the section of the antenna called the flagellum. Female bees have 10 segments in the flagellum while male bees have 11 segments"

Saying that I not managed to take a photo yet that shows that.

 

[Graham]

Now that 1st shot is lovely and what colour it has.
I dont think your on social media site but if you are or know someone that is there is a few super groups on there that will help with the ID.

 

[Testudo Man]

Nice couple of Bee images here.
I like Solitary Bees ive had a couple show up in my garden this season, but still waiting for them to emerge properly...damn cool/rainy weather is not helping!!!
The weekend looks better...an next week should warm right up for us.

 

[alfbranch]

Nice detailed and natural pictures. Out of curiosity, did you do these on a tripod or hand held. I'm always curious as to technique used . Good way to learn.

Not sure what they might be up to, it's certainly still very cold up here, so wouldn't expect to see bees for a while yet

Thanks Gil
I shoot handheld with diffused flash and with MF usually

You can tell sex by number of segments
http://articles.extension.org/pages/29762/characters-used-in-identifying-bees
"The apical, or last, 10 - 11 segments of the antenna form the section of the antenna called the flagellum. Female bees have 10 segments in the flagellum while male bees have 11 segments"
Saying that I not managed to take a photo yet that shows that.

I am not sure I have such shots either

Now that 1st shot is lovely and what colour it has.
I dont think your on social media site but if you are or know someone that is there is a few super groups on there that will help with the ID.

Thanks Graham

Nice couple of Bee images here.
I like Solitary Bees ive had a couple show up in my garden this season, but still waiting for them to emerge properly...damn cool/rainy weather is not helping!!!
The weekend looks better...an next week should warm right up for us.

Thanks Paul
We had a nice warm spell and I had a chance to get out

 

[ChrisA]

Beautifully shot. Love the colours in the first and the pose in the second.

 

[alfbranch]

Beautifully shot. Love the colours in the first and the pose in the second.

Thanks Chris

 

[Neil Burnell]

Great details in these Alf, nicely done.

 

[alfbranch]

Great details in these Alf, nicely done.

Thanks Neil

 

[Simon Tyrannes]

Love the first bee. The second is ‘too’ hidden in the bark.

 

[soupdragon]

Lots of detail in both. I like that.

The thread title is a bit of an oxymoron though.

 

[alfbranch]

Love the first bee. The second is ‘too’ hidden in the bark.

Thanks Simon
The male does a lot of hanging around so needs to hide

Lots of detail in both. I like that.

The thread title is a bit of an oxymoron though.

Thanks Tony