tags: bumblebee, Helsinki, Finland, cities, nature
Bumblebee on my hand.
Photographed in Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 23 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
I am sure I must have looked like I was insane when, walking down the sidewalk, I spied this bumblebee sitting on the concrete. I plopped myself down onto my hands and knees on the sidewalk and spent a few minutes nose-to-nose with her, trying to figure out if she was dying because she was hurt or old (or maybe she was just resting?). She looked to be in good repair, so I got her onto my hand to photograph her. It’s not easy to photograph a small insect that is crawling around on one hand whilst holding the camera in the other hand, but this image isn’t too bad. Can anyone tell me the species? Is this a White-tailed Bumblebee, Bombus lucorum?
Here’s another look at this bee from the back end;
Bumblebee on my hand.
Photographed in Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 23 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
To answer the inevitable question: no, I did not get stung. I’ve never been stung by bumblebees, except when I did something dumb first, like harass or squeeze them.