Yay - found the wife

Lord Vetinari

Some shots of my favourite bee - a male "blue" mason bee Osmia caerulescens. Someone on another forum mentioned that these were blue mason bees which from the ones I've seen (all males) seemed a bit of a doubtful description. Oh yea of little faith- I found the female along with the male the other day for the first time and she is dark with a lovely blue sheen.
All shots focus stacked using zerene, taken on the same dead tree branch I use to prop up another tree.

Brian V.

Stumblebum

Incredible close ups!
Congrats on your find!
Blow away as usual!

Lord Vetinari

Stumblebum wrote: »

Incredible close ups!
Congrats on your find!
Blow away as usual!

Thanks SB
Brian V.

IPClark

Beautiful captures Brian.

Lord Vetinari

IPClark wrote: »

Beautiful captures Brian.

Thanks Ian
Brian V.

GOLDENORFE

Superb! Love the eyes , similare to a leaf cutter pattern
I have never seen these

Lord Vetinari

GOLDENORFE wrote: »

Superb! Love the eyes , similare to a leaf cutter pattern
I have never seen these

Thanks Phil - they are rather cute little bees. I'm lucky enough to get them every year in the garden, but have yet to find where the females have their nest holes.
Brian V.