Buzzzy Bees

I wasn't all that pleased with the varieties of Cosmos we tried this year as the flowers were rather small - but they WERE a magnet for Bumblebees - so I've forgiven them!

Red-tailed Bumblebees are shown in the first 3 pics, then a White-tailed one is in the next three - while I THINK the last one is a Honey Bee, managing to get into the centre of every rose to collect his precious cargo!:)

The Bumblebee Conservation website says that Bumblebees can be sexed by looking at their antennae. A male's are straight or curved, whereas a female's have 'elbow joints'! I think the second Red-tailed one is a female therefore - but am unsure of the others!:conf40:

Just goes to show, insects are possibly more attracted to small flowers, nice series of shots Catherine.:)

I understood that bees liked Cosmos - and apparently , whatever the size! For some reason I LOVE That first shot - that shape/lines/colour fading really appeals to me, and it looks like the bee is clinging on for dear life :)

As for the sex of the bees - how rude, staring at their bits!!! ;)