Old Guy, No Rogaine - _TNY_1179
Early in the season, shooting bumblebees is a study in futility. The only ones out flying (technically the only ones existing then) are queens, fresh out of hibernation. And they buzz around looking for a good place to start their new colony and aren't much still at all.
Late in the season (this one was shot on October 1st) the situation is very different since only the new queens hibernat through the winter.
The rest of the colony, like this male are reaching end of life and slow down a lot. Sad for the bumblebee of course, but for me trying to take photos it certainly is a lot easier.
There are a couple of very similar species, but I am pretty confident this is a buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), also known as the large earth bumblebee and the lack of pollen baskets on the hind legs tell it is a male.
Despite his age, I must say that he certainly have a full set of hair here - very thick!
Old Guy, No Rogaine - _TNY_1179
Early in the season, shooting bumblebees is a study in futility. The only ones out flying (technically the only ones existing then) are queens, fresh out of hibernation. And they buzz around looking for a good place to start their new colony and aren't much still at all.
Late in the season (this one was shot on October 1st) the situation is very different since only the new queens hibernat through the winter.
The rest of the colony, like this male are reaching end of life and slow down a lot. Sad for the bumblebee of course, but for me trying to take photos it certainly is a lot easier.
There are a couple of very similar species, but I am pretty confident this is a buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), also known as the large earth bumblebee and the lack of pollen baskets on the hind legs tell it is a male.
Despite his age, I must say that he certainly have a full set of hair here - very thick!