It's the Ivory Banded Digger Bee

This weekend I got lucky getting images of the very busy Ivory Banded Digger Bees Amegilla quadrifasciata in the garden.

This one is in flight between two blossoms on the Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ plant.

Look at the proboscis on the bee!

It allows them to sip nectar from a large variety of flowers.

And their hairy hind legs transport pollen.

These are solitary bees that don't form colonies and dig tunnels in loose soil where they lay their eggs.

I've noticed more of these bees in the garden this year, probably because the plants are more established, producing more nectar and pollen bearing blossoms.

Look out, ivory banded digger bee approaching at full speed!