Each year, the grassed area around Wakefield Cathedral is the place to spot tawny mining bees (Andrena fulva). During the past week, they have created many small “volcanoes” as they have excavated their burrows.
Burrows of Tawny Mining Bees
Sunny weather has brought the bees out but a chill in the air has slowed some of them down, making them easier to observe and photograph.
Tawny Mining Bee
In this picture, taken using a mobile phone, it’s possible to see not only the large compound eyes but also the simple eyes (ocelli) on the top of the bee’s head.