Last year I posted about the mason bee (or perhaps it was a mason wasp?) that was making a home in a tiny hole in the brick at the back of my house. Remember this post? but I never caught a photo of the actual insect.
It's the perfect spot for enjoying my early morning coffee, and this year the bee, or a family member, was back again. I was ready with the camera.
She (or he?) is extremely industrious, in and out of the hole every few minutes, probably making a nest of some sort, but I haven't noticed her carrying anything. She can crawl in but has to back out. And the actual mouth of the hole seem to be getting bigger. Interesting goings on.
Sooner or later she will lay an egg in there and deposit a caterpillar for the young to feed on when it hatches. Congratulations on a great series of pictures.
ReplyDeleteAny idea how long it takes for the egg to turn into a new bee (or wasp)?
DeleteEchoing David. This is a wonderful series, and bees are not easy to capture. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I looked very odd standing with my camera in my hand and staring at a brick wall waiting for something to happen.
DeleteFascinating. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree, interesting to watch.
DeleteWe have these bees, too. Amazingly symmetrical tunnels through our wood fence for egg laying purposes. After which she'll seal the hole and take off. Smarter than some of us, I guess! Thanks for interesting pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe hole in the brick is still open at the moment, I suppose it will be sealed once the egg is ready.
DeleteNature is very strange.
ReplyDeleteStranger than fiction, as they say.
DeleteCurious.
ReplyDeleteClever bee, coming back to the same hole.
DeleteAs long as you keep your distance will be interesting to watch the progress while enjoying your morning coffee Shammi 🐝
ReplyDeleteThe hole is still open right now, so I wonder when she will decide to close it up..... I will keep watch.
DeleteInteresting and well done with your photos.
ReplyDeleteTaking a closeup photo of a brick wall, well, rather a strange hobby!
DeleteGreat photos of that industrious little critter. I hope you keep following its progress
ReplyDeleteThe tiny hole in the brick appeared 4 or 5 years ago and has been inhabited every year since, I wonder if it's the baby returning to the birthplace.... like the salmon returning to the river where they hatched???
DeleteWow, a great series of photos of the bee.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep the camera handy for more if anything exciting happens!
DeleteAmazing how strong that critter is ...to burrow into the brick like that.
ReplyDeleteFascinating photos.
Sue
The hole in the brick appeared 4 or 5 years ago, but I'm pretty sure it was made by an insect.
Delete