The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Rain, sun, wind...insects, birds, flowers...meteorites, rocks...seasonal changes...all are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
A quick Bucket with some early insects gorging on the nectar of early flowers in my backyard. Insects are largely terra incognita for me except for a few familiar ones, so any thoughts on the unknowns will be welcome!
Satyr Anglewing on viburnum:
Not sure what this one is:
A bumblebee on Red Flowering Currant:
same guy seen from the side:
I thought this was another bumblebee on the currant but from its eyes, maybe a fly? It's on a viburnum leaf also in another view:
Update: It's a Flowerfly, a bumblebee mimic, in the family Syrphidae:
This one is definitely a fly hymenopteran, the green very pretty against the yellow of the dandelion.
Update: Most likely a Sweat Bee, a type of Metallic Green Bee, genus Agapostemon:
Just saw a Mourning Cloak butterfly.
And a female Anna's hummingbird plucking at a clump of cat fur that was tossed into the bushes after some cleaning. Great nesting material I'd think, if it ignores the scary aroma.
The sun is emerging here in the Pacific Northwest. I'll be in and out. Gardening projects! Watching for more activity in the yard.
How about you, what are you seeing today?
(All photos by me. In Lightbox...click to enlarge)
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