Natural Neon …
Cuckoo Bee.
The location and situation generally allowed only a limited approach and time for a few shots in the dead of night.
*Click on the pictures for a proper look … and click again
Maybe, if she comes back, I can try something different, for better lighting of the very dark black, and more colour in the background.
Every now and then she would shift her position, a little. No fear of her waking in fright, making for the light as BBB’s have done.
Working in a space the size of a Hobbit’s very small cupboard meant some risk of disturbing her. See, she raised her antennae a little.
But all was well, and she took to the skies this morning in fine fettle. She, or a sibling, will be back. It’s what they do in the Earth engine.
Last year I prepped a mud brick as a nest for the Blue Banded Bees that visit the garden. This year they moved in wholesale. And with the BBB comes the Cuckoo, amongst other opportunists.
And what a beautiful opportunist she is. I saw her stalking the mud brick and enter one of the nest holes the BBB makes, so thought I’d provide some roosting spots, to get a few shots.
It seems to be working out, and two more nests are being prepped for next year, different shapes and sizes. These bees have their preferences, maybe I’ll learn something of them.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click on those pictures for a closer look
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Nature's Place 
Well done.
Thanks Mike.
Wonderful creatures. Spot on pics.
In 33 years here (Sydney) I’ve seen them around only 2 seasons.
And this year I’ve spotted only 3 BBBs.
Not helped by neighbours who spray!
Wishing you a peaceful and productive Christmas season.
Thanks Roselene.
A few years ago their numbers in the wild diminished with some ‘regeneration’ work by the local council. They also spray for mozzies hearabouts. So I started gardening and do my best to keep the flowering going throughout the year so there is food for the bees, and anything else that shows up or is ‘invited’. In the wild they depend on habitat that has probably served them timelessly but when it is taken they are comfortable with whatever is supplied, once it meets some basic requirements.
Beautiful!!! Better than any glittery tree ornament…thank you for the joy your photos bring all year…hope the New Year brings health and happiness for you and your family, and lots more wonderful photos for us to enjoy.
Thanks Dee. We’ll see what comes, but nature is known to reproduce … the mechanics.
Nice click…..
Thanks, I think I’ve got a click or two left in me. :-) Maybe …
Gorgeous :)
I didn’t get these in my garden that I ever saw. Plenty of BB, delightful little beasts.
Yes, a simple pleasure.
Wherever there are BBB’s there are cuckoo bees. Finding them is another matter, but if the area is confined and roosts are available they won’t be far from the nest.
I made up a roost from spent fern leaf spines, the very thin kind you can see this bee on. Set them in a roll of cardboard weighted down with a jam jar of water, so they didn’t fall over or blow away.
WOW! another great photographs… Thank you dear Mark, Have a nice Holiday and Merry Christmas, Love, nia
Thanks Nia.
Wonderful and enlightening as always. Thank you, and Happy Holidays to you and yours Mark.
Thanks David.