Summer Long Horned Bee sleeping in the sunflower

Last week when I came home from work in the early evening I discovered this Summer Long-Horned male bee Melissodes robustior sleeping on the tip of a petal of the Delta sunflower Helianthus annuus .

We usually have a strong breeze starting up every evening, so the bee swayed along with the flower, fast asleep. The next morning before I left for work, I saw the bee in the same position, waiting for temperature to rise.

That next evening I saw either the same Summer Long-Horned male bee or another one sleeping in the same flower but further in. This must be a better area to get a good grip to sleep.

The behavior of bees is so fascinating.

And I am so grateful that they are constantly visiting our native garden, collecting pollen and nectar. And yes, sleeping.