Hey, folks, it's time! The flowers are starting to bloom and the bees are beginning to forage. Time to start watching bees in Texas. Above is a blooming Anemone sp. in full bloom at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center last weekend. While it was a bit cool and, admittedly, not a hotbed of bee activity, there were bees flying. Most likely, the bees were gathering a bit of pollen from the Anemones.
You are sure to see some Apis (honeybees), but keep your eyes open for early-spring native bees. The Hymenoptera of America North of Mexico indicates you might see Colletes, Andrena, Augochlorella and Ceratina.
The Golden Groundsel (Packera obovata) is blooming at my house, but still had a ways to go before blooming at the Wildflower Center. I haven't seen any bees on them yet, but I'm keeping my eyes on watch.
The Agarita ( Mahonia trifoliolata) looked ready to burst into bloom any minute. It will be a bee-magnet, so get out there watching. You don't want to miss the first bees of the season, do you?
What's blooming near you?
I saw my first bee of the new year here in London this morning. Spring is starting to arrive in the UK!
Posted by: Bill | 03/02/2010 at 04:40 AM