2021 December 12

    Gordon Hart writes:  Michael Simmons, of Brentwood Bay, sent me a photograph of a bee seen on Thursday December 9, feeding on a Winter Sun Mahonia in full bloom.  I think it is likely Bombus melanopygus, the Black-tailed Bumblebee, based on the bit of orange with very little yellow, and the fact that this is a common species on the west coast, with a long season.

Probably Bombus melanopygus (Hym.: Apidae)  Michael Simmons