Bumble Bee Foray

My latest thing is bumble bees but, despite the fact there's relatively few species found on Islay, I'm still finding it difficult to identify them! Yesterday I went for a bit of foray along the road to the Machrie Hotel. The verges abound with Black Knapweed and the air was full of the gentle buzzing of bees. I snapped away happily and managed to photograph two species of bumble bee. I've printed off some credit-card sized ID guides if anyone is interested or download from http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/research/projects/bombus/_key_colour_british/QuickCard.pdf
Becky





Bombus pascuorum - Common Carder Bee

Male Bombus lucorum - White-tailed Bumble Bee