krmenzel's Favourites
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Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)Observer
morcuttDescription
Saw a blond squirrel and thought of you, @krmenzel !
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Rusty-patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis)Observer
morcuttDescription
Day 17! It also seemed to be Host-Swapping Day, with 3 Bombus species observed on flowers I’d never seen them paired with before.* Generally, the hydrangea in the first photo is only frequented by wasps and infrequented by little B impatiens, so I was surprised to catch the affinis there. Still, he started off on his regular Agastache patch and returned to it after his brief fling with the hydrangea and a more substantial dalliance with Joe Pye. Despite his increasing raggedyness, he remains easily recognizable amidst all of the other bumble bees. The characteristic bouyant flight style of affinis makes him easier to spot and visually track too.
*This makes me wonder if it’s just that the bee balm and hyssop are beginning to run dry or if parasites or fungi have taken over the controls.
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European Woolcarder Bee (Anthidium manicatum)Observer
naturalistdave99Description
Male patrolling for mates on Agastache foeniculum, then mating with a female immediately after she arrived.
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Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens)Observer
gamelanerDescription
The bee.
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Parazumia symmorphaObserver
morcuttDescription
A female arrived on the scene today, and a male was excited to see her. She, however, tucked her abdomen in tightly, avoiding his advances. Once he left, she went back to nectar-robbing the monarda.
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Oblong Woolcarder Bee (Anthidium oblongatum)Observer
morcuttDescription
Although they aren’t native, the females are pretty adorable as they go about their carding, collecting plant fiber for their nests.
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Observer
morcuttDescription
Previously identified by John Ascher as Trachandrena. Likely either T hippotes or forbesii. I’m looking forward to getting to know the Trachandrena specimens in UMN’s collection.
