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Tuesday, 2 March 2021

Crocuses and Bumble Bees

 Today is dull and cool as a haar (sea mist) has descended on Edinburgh. Yesterday though was warm and sunny and the crocuses in North Merchiston Cemetery were fully in bloom 

Several bumble bees were foraging in the blooms, they were all so covered in pollen it was difficult to tell whether they were buff tailed bumble bees or white tailed bumbles (two species which I find very difficult to tell apart anyway!). 

We were intrigued by this creature, which, after consulting the Edinburgh Natural History Society Facebook group seems to be the larva of a ground beetle or a rove beetle 

This seven spot ladybird was enjoying the sun 

and the ivy flower heads were throwing beautiful shadows as they always do in strong sunlight 

and patches of miniature daffodils are already in bloom


7 comments:

  1. Lovely photographs.
    Happy March Wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  2. Beautiful images, you caught them right.

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  3. Beautiful photos and lovely to see so many crocuses. I struggle to tell the difference between white and buff tailed too unless I get a good view!

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  4. Preciosas fotos y magnífico blog, me ha gustado mucho. Tienes un nuevo seguidor desde el norte de España. Saludos desde https://faunacompacta.blogspot.com/

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  5. Thanks Ragged, yes they're tricky to tll apart aren't they?

    Thanks Birgitta!

    Gracias, German!

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  6. Interesting, CGP, about your Rove beetle discovery. I found what seems to have been a dead adult in our garden a few days ago. We see them most years in the grass, but not usually until it is much warmer. Wonderful to see the bees again, and the crocus colours are so cheering.

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