Hella Bee Nerd

Bees aren’t the only ones that sometimes need an elaborate grooming routine before flying off to resume their business. [Spotless lady beetle, Cycloneda sanguinea, Alameda, CA 3-21-26] #entomology #macro #beetles

In today’s episode of “When you’re so small California poppy anthers are like tree trunks to you”… this little Dialictus bee. [Alameda, CA 3-20-26] #bees #nativebees

Our local Andrena bees are officially on the move. [Alameda, CA 3-20-26] #bees #nativebees

It’s officially warm enough that the small and very small bees are on the move. Larger to smaller, Lasioglossum kincaidii, Halictus tripartitus and Dialictus, all females. I spotted two Agapostemon subtilior, but they did not 📷cooperate. [Alameda, CA 3-13-26] #bees #nativebees

Sure, it might not seem like a high ground perch to you, but high ground is relative. This one is a feared predator so must know what they’re doing. [Alameda, CA 3-10-26]

Our beloved fence pets are back. [Xylocopa sonorina male and female, Alameda, CA 2-28-26] #bees #nativebees

Predator vs. Predator: The Reckoning. It seems Aphid Lions (green lacewing larvae) are just a bit more predatory than lady beetle larvae (Aphid Gators?). Don’t remember seeing this scene before. [Ventura, CA 2-15-26] #entomology #macro

The female dodged me today but not long after a male appeared, taking a break from turf patrol. Presented in quarter-speed-o-vision. [Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex, Alameda, CA 2-3-26] #bees #nativebees

The Very Hungry Monarch [Alameda, CA 1-31-26] #butterflies

I spotted a Foothill Carpenter Bee yesterday but didn’t manage to get a picture. I went to another spot I knew they like to frequent today and sure enough... [Alameda, CA 1-30-26] #bees #nativebees

Haven’t seen any native bees since the week of rains we had but now that it’s sunny again we do have Monarchs for entertainment… [Alameda, CA 1-13-26] #entomology #pollinators #butterflies

Christmas Eve had a sunny mid-day in a wet week and the neighborhood blooming manzanitas brought out the Black-tailed Bumble Bees. [Bombus melanopygus, Alameda, CA 12-24-25] #bees #nativebees #bumblebees

Sure, you can count them on the middle fingers they’re giving to the concept of bee seasons, but nonetheless these Agapostemon subtilior males are still diligently trying to conduct their business… in mid-December. [Alameda, CA 12/16/25] #bees #nativebees

“Ma’am, yes you’re being very thorough, but those flowers are all dry and empty, the bush filled with fresh ones is right above you. Ma’am?” [Alameda, CA 12-5-25] #bees #bumblebees #nativebees

@beehaviorlist The Bay of We Do What We Want, they call the East Bay. 🙃

Ma’am, you can’t just sit there in people’s driveways, it’s not safe, even for royalty. [Alameda, CA 12-2-25] #bees #bumblebees #nativebees

Segue to that Pygmy Blue video - a highly scientific ThumbParison for scale. It's not the greatest composition, but it is quite difficult to creep up your thumb to them. They don't appreciate it, and it's hard to get the focus plane right... [Alameda, CA 11-8-25] #butterflies

Western Pygmy Blue, America’s smallest butterfly and one of the world’s smallest. About the size of a thumbnail. [Alameda, CA 11-8-25] #butterflies

Ma’am, you can’t just wander the sidewalk like that. Most people pay no attention to where they’re stepping. [Foothill carpenter bee, Alameda, CA 11-4-25] #bees #nativebees