Bee Hotel …
This parasitic wasp was noticed sitting on the old Blue Banded Bee hotel, listening … for what may be.
*Click on the pictures for a proper look … and click again
Listening … to what the surrounding structure and landscape was saying, the masked bee moved in.
Moving from entrance to entrance, each one separate as the BBB are a solitary bee, not hive minded – somewhat individual.
All can be seen to exercise caution, at least testing for recognition to ensure integrity to process – don’t want to finish another’s nest.
Others just testing for a suitable repository for her as yet unborn young. All things intelligent in their own ways, all things driven to reproduce.
The dark cool of the mud brick interior a suitable place for new life to begin its journey out.
… not any more. Made for the Blue Banded Bee a few years ago, this hotel, they only really used it for one.
Last year a few still nested there but this year none so far, but nothing good goes to waste.
This year a swarm? – don’t know if they can be called that as they are not a hive (mind) creature.
But this year the masked bee turned up in numbers, followed by the parasitic wasp.
I will watch as everything runs its course, inside and out … maybe get a few pictures.
© Mark Berkery … Click on those pictures for a closer look … and click again.
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Nature's Place 
Wonderful pictures. The “wasp” looks similar to the ones that are visiting my bee hotel. I like them. Yes, every year is different and nature has always a solution when there is a little space left :-)
Thanks Almuth.
The 3rd pcture exceptionally beautiful, Mark.
They are so beautiful thank you for sharing. I love the sharpness of these little insects. I wish I could take photos as sharp!
thanks
Anne
Thanks Anne. For sharp images of things that move while I am also moving I use flash, it’s the effective shutter speed at up 1/20,000 sec which has the effect of stopping any motion. Have a look here – https://beingmark.com/macro-illustrated/ – and some links in comments and you’ll find out how to do it.
Wieder einmal fantastische Bilder!!
Danka … :-)
Wow! One heck of an ovipositor!
The extent of it can’t be seen in these photos but it’s as long as the body, longer, to reach deep into a nest site to lay and egg.