MarkB1 Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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Hello folks, been a while. Seems the world has slowed down for a bit, it's good for nature, enjoying it while I can.
I've been noticing for some years now, apart from the usual fluctuations in the appearance of seasonal insect life, there is definitely fewer around.
However, life goes on.
Here's one of my favourite creatures.
A Neon Cuckoo Bee that preys (is that the right word) primarily (AFAIK) at the nesting sites of the Blue Banded Bee here in Brisbane, Oz. They can be found perched or asleep on suitable roosts near the entrances to these nest sites.
I had some such bee hotels two house moves ago where many BBB's were born, with attendant Neon Cuckoo Bees. Since then, within a klick of the original location, there have been dramatically diminishing numbers - could be just age/condition related.
Anyway ...
The Neon Cuckoo bee resting from her efforts to populate the Blue Banded Bee’s nests in the big mud brick.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160538_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg
During the day she took to the fern stems I put out for the purpose, and no BBB bothered her while she was there.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160506_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg
This was late afternoon as the sun hit the ground in front of the BBB house, a short window for a lighter background.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160511_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg
Such was her calm I had time for more considered shots, to get some greenery in. Colourful contrast pleases the eye.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160521_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg
Then there’s the plastic roof on the BBB house, perishing now, trusting it will survive the summer. She gets around.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160577_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg
She was unfazed by the BBB’s occasionally buzzing her at her varying resting places, clearly at ease in her being.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160398_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg
And then there is the wood that keeps the plastic roof on the BBB’s house, a little weight in case of wind, and rain.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160465_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg
Then there were these flies, as small as they look, showed interest in some of the BBB’s nests. Feeding perhaps.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160395_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg
They took to the fern stems too, instinctively. A place of safety with only one narrow approach to it. It’s all relative.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160503_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg
"She came back, our Neon Cuckoo Bee. And the BBB’s were busy chasing her away.
But she didn’t mind, and she didn’t give up, dodging the natives in order to lay her eggs.
The BBB house has been very busy this year, and there will be more Neon Cuckoo bees for it.
The way it is, one thing feeds off another, and they’re all very focused about it, filling the need.
Nature needs to reproduce, plain and simple, and nothing will deter the instinctive will.
Except maybe the will before instinct. Nothing … to write home about though, for now."
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