Spring Warmth Brings Visitors

Yesterday the temperature reached 62 degrees. It was sunny and only a slight wind blowing. It was a beautiful day and it was the first day of the year that brought with it a good diversity of insects. I have a bush North of my house that is covered in little blooms that smell like perfume. I have no idea of the species of shrub that it is, but the insects loved it. The bush sounded alive with all the buzzing of little wings. , The 1st image is a Fly, The 2nd image is a Hover Fly, The 3rd image is a Sawfly.The 4th image is a Multi-Colored Lady Beetle, The 5th image is a Honey Bee, And the last two images are of black ants guarding their eggs and a soil centipede. I found them under rocks nearby the bush. I am so glad that spring is finally arriving after such a long cold dreary winter.

Today's unseasonably warm weather brought several species out of hiding (or hibernation) This bee landed on a bowl of scraps that was waiting to be dumped into the field. I went in and brought out some honey and drizzled a little onto the edge of the bowl, this little lady immediately went to it and began lapping it up as if she was starving. She stayed with that honey for well over 20 minutes. I'm not sure if she is a honey bee or not, she looked different to me. One other bee landed on the bird feeder near me and I was able to get it to crawl onto my finger and it definitely was a honey bee, but this one I am unsure.