Flight of the Bumblebee!

A bumble bee, Bombus ardens (コマルハナバチ komaruhanabachi) has a very descriptive name in Japanese, literally translated it is: Small Round Flower Bee. As can be seen in the photos, it is indeed small and round. They are about 1/2 the length of my favourite bumble bee, Bombus ignitus, but even more docile and just as industrious.

I was very happy to capture the bee as it was flying.
If you look closely, you can even see its tongue!

While there were about a half dozen busily pollinating the flowers in the garden, most were quite high up in a tree. Fortunately, this bee chose a group of flowers close to the ground.

Bees in general are quite docile and unless you harass them, or accidentally step on them, they will generally leave you alone. Wasps on the other hand are much more aggressive and the safe space they try to maintain around the hive is much larger. This little bee mostly ignored me as I took photos of her.

Pollen is kept on patches of long hairs on the last pair of legs, this bee has already collected quite a lot to take back to the hive!

Thank you for your support!

Comments and questions are always appreciated!

If you like, please check my profile for more pictures of the wondrous little creatures that populate the garden and surrounding areas.
As well as a few posts that aren't bugs! :P