Big Loads, Pt. 4 - _TNY_7495

I think this is the first black-headed mining bee (Andrena nigriceps) that I've managed to photograph - and as its thighs are more than loaded with pollen, we can tell that it is a female.

 

She was gathering it from some sort of low-growing herb in front of my neighbour's house so I shot this flat on my stomach.

 

Part 1 showing the butt side of the bee plus those very well-packed pollen baskets better here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53809748272/

 

Part 2 shows the face better here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53884332272/

 

Part 3 is from the top here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54103285970/

 

This one was being bothered by a male four-banded flower bee (Anthophora quadrimaculata) which (unsuccessfully) kept trying to chase this little girl away from "his" patch. A shot of that bee here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53797660333/

 

and here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53842953572/

 

Done