Your latest occasional reminder that we all remain jealous of bees' superior backscratching skills, as demonstrated by this Halictus tripartitus. [Oakland CA 5-17-2026]

Like trying to eat two corndogs at the same time, the this little Dialictus bee getting a bit greedy story. [Alameda, CA 3-29-2026] #bees #narivebees

Someone told the bees about #WorldBeeDay because on my way home from work after 6pm the native bees in all weight categories were still active. [Alameda, CA 5-20-26] #bees #nativebees

For this #WorldBeeDay, I present this noted innovator Ceratina small carpenter bee who thought “Collecting pollen with six limbs is fine, but if I also use my tongue as a seventh-“ Presented in actual frantic speed vision. [Alameda, CA 5-15-26] #bees #nativebees

Always an unusual sight - a live honey bee drone. They never survive long once ejected from the hive so it must be nearby. I always see them in the same spot. At least he won’t get the indignity of getting stepped on on the sidewalk. [Alameda, CA 5-18-26] #bees

The carpenter bees were already on the move just after 7am this morning. They can sense a 80+ degree day coming. 🥵 [Alameda, CA 5-18-26] #bees #nativebees

I’ve been seeing fewer Hylaeus bees the last few years but it looks like they’re returning in more usual numbers this year. As always around the neighborhood, Aeonium arboreum flowers are their favorite. [Alameda, CA 5-14-26] #bees #nativebees

Notable lunchtime bee observation of the day: my first male Halictus tripartitus of the year. The previous earliest were on May 25th last year. [Alameda, CA 5-12-26] #bees #nativebees

“You know what would be great for The Socials? The first female Longhorn appearing on Mothers Day.” “I got you, fam.” There she is, dodging the half dozen males and the combative male Leafcutter chasing them all on that patch of sidewalk. [Alameda, CA 5-10-26] #bees #nativebees

I am regularly seeing male Longhorn bees in the usual spots, so females emerging must be just days away now… [Alameda, CA 5-8-26] #bees #nativebees

I’m not saying this Halictus tripartitus and I are besties, but we are pals. [Alameda, CA 5-7-26] #bees #nativebees

It turns out male Leafcutter bees don’t fight everyone on their turf. I’m not saying this Megachile perihirta male and Agapostemon subtilior female were besties, but they were pals. Nearby male longhorns, not at all. [Alameda, CA 4-26-26] #bees #nativebees

It was chilly enough earlier today that I didn’t think I’d spot any native bees other than a few bumble bees. But Lasioglossum kincaidii are made of sterner stuff. Part of why I keep seeing more of them every year. [Oakland, CA 5-2-26] #bees #nativebees

Taking your bee mimicking all the way to “Nap in flower because it’s too cold to fly today.” is hardcore commitment. [Eristalis arbustorum, Eurasian Drone Fly, Oakland, CA 5-2-26] #entomology #flies

I somehow didn’t know that junior Anise Swallowtail caterpillars look like 🐦 💩 until I was today years old. I usually just recognize them when they’re much larger. [Alameda, CA 5-1-26 & Berkeley 4-29-26] #pollinators #butterflies

In other fun #CityNatureChallenge sightings, this little Lasioglossum bee concentrating nectar by blowing bubbles in the sun and letting the water evaporate. High contrast background duly appreciated. [Alameda, CA 4-26-26] #bees #nativebees

Making friends with Mining Bees, a quality #CityNatureChallenge activity. [Alameda, CA 4-26-26] #bees #nativebees

When even small ants are nearly your size, the Dialictus foraging predicament. The flowers are Aeonium arboreum, which should help a bit to picture the scale. [Alameda, CA 4-19-26] #bees #nativebees

About six seconds to dig open her nest hole and take the fly inside and soon after just a few seconds to cover it up again before the next round. Oxybelus uniglumis wasps are impressively efficient. [Alameda, CA 4-18-26] #entomology #wasps 1/2

Oh sure go ahead and laugh. But look, she’s a queen. This foraging nonsense is for underlings. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ [Alameda, CA 4-18-26] #bees #bumblebees #nativebees

This Halictus tripartitus worker (they also come in larger reproductive gynes/queens) once again reminded me that phoretic mites are scaled to various bee sizes. Look closely at her eye and you’ll see a group of infinitesimally tiny mites. [Alameda, CA 4-16-26] #bees #nativebees

Rock purslane, a drought tolerant perennial from Chile is popular around here with both gardeners and native bees. A quality photo bonus is the striking color of its pollen. This Agapostemon subtilior is appreciating both nectar and pollen. [Alameda, CA 4-14-26] #bees #nativebees

Bees are bad at camouflage? Well then how do you exp- wait, where did she go? 🤔 🥷[Dialictus bee + California poppy, Alameda, CA 4-14-26] #bees #nativebees

Sometimes the pollen grooming situation is a lot and requires five limbs to try to resolve. [Alameda, CA 4-14-26] #bees #honeybees

And speaking of “little”… Lasioglossum kincaidii, Smaller Than You Think, A Thumbparison Science Presentation (in fairness this one was a bit smaller than usual). As always, I do not have giant thumbs… 🙃 [Alameda, CA 4-13-26] #bees #nativebees

We had lots of rain the past few days until the break yesterday. There was still a chilly wind as you can see but this little Lasioglossum kincaidii would not be deterred. [Alameda, CA 4-13-26] #bees #nativebees

Hylaeus bees were a very reliable sighting on the island and now I keep seeing fewer of them. So I am always happy to spot one. HellaBeeNerd Lunchtime Walks Presents: Hylaeus punctatus vexed by Varied Carpet Beetle. Presented in SloMoVision. [Alameda, CA 4-6-26] #bees #nativebees

When your commitment to the bee impersonation bit is so strong you fly around wearing a full fur coat even though it’s hot and pollen keeps sticking to it. [Narcissus bulb fly, Alameda, CA 4-4-26] #entomology #macro #flies

Almost all the pollen is gone from the California Flannelbush flowers, but they are still pouring out nectar for visitors like this small but fearsome Oxybelus uniglumis wasp. [Alameda, CA 4-3-26] #macro #wasps

I really enjoy Narcissus Bulb Flies. They’re large, they wear flashy clothes and they’re bemusingly territorial. They’re unmistakable from 20 feet away. And they love Geranium incanum like all the native bees do. Presented in SloMoVision. [Alameda, CA 3-31-26] #pollinators #flies

Not rain nor shine nor pollen in the eye will slow down an Agapostemon subtilior conducting her business. Ok yes rain will but that’s not nearly as catchy sounding. [Alameda, CA 3-30-26] #bees #nativebees

When you’re that big it helps to rev up the engine before takeoff. [Xylocopa sonorina male, Alameda, CA 3-26-26] #bees #nativebees

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, 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

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