Butterflies & Bumbles
I was really surprised to see both butterflies and bumbles still flying around the last of the flowers in my garden. No doubt in the next few weeks, once the nights get colder, they will be gone.
I really love bumbles, and this year there seemed to be more than usual. Unfortunately I’m not very good at identifying them – for me they usually just fall into “big” and “small” categories. I can never get them to sit still for long enough while I look at my bumble identification sheet! The following clip was only filmed a couple of weeks ago. Anyone want to hazzard a guess as to what they are?
Bumblebees in September 2007 – click arrow to view
Luckily butterflys are a lot easier to ident. There seem to have been loads of Red Admirals and Peacocks in the garden this year, and for the first time I also saw a Painted Lady. We also get Holly Blue, Brimstone and Speckled Wood, oh and of course Cabbage Whites! The following clip was filmed on the same day as the above bumble clip and shows a Painted Lady having a good feed on my perennials.
Painted Lady September 2007 – Click arrow to view
NB: As a follow up to this entry. On closer inspection I think the bumble bee is a male Common Carder Bee (Bombus Pascuorum).
Florida Keys Wildlife 
You have been busy Jane. I have a VHS video made for Ian Rabjohns a local naturalist which shows most of the butterflies found locally. Let me know if you would like to borrow it.
I’ve heard of Ian, that sounds really interesting. I will catch up with you when I get home. Thanks Ray.
It is so nice to find some one who also loves bees, especially the lovely little bumble bees. There have been so many different types in my garden all year, I really ought to buy a book so I can record which ones I see.
Hi Janet. I’ve just been through my bee identification book again and I now think the bee I filmed was a Common Carder Bee. As you say, one of the “little” ones. It’s only now that I have played the video back and forwards that I have been able to identify it. Usually they won’t sit still!
[…] of 2007 Mine wasn’t as rare… but I’ve never seen it before. It was a Painted Lady which I filmed in my garden in September. __________________ Visit my Wildlife Videos & Diary at […]
Your best insect of 2007 - Wildlife and Environment Forums said this on January 12, 2008 at 2:15 pm |