Yellow-faced Bumble Bee in the Native Patch

Oh how busy these yellow-faced bumble bees Bombus vosnesenskii are in the garden.

And also very determined.

The one in the image above is determined to somehow squeeze into a California alba poppy before it opened for the day. And look at the bright orange pollen in its basket.

Here is another yellow-faced bumble bee visiting the Eriogonum grande var. rubescens red buckwheat.

This buckwheat is native to the California Channel Islands, and blooms from June through October.

It provides pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies.

The yellow-faced bumble bee here is visiting gilia capitata blossoms.

Although these blossoms are not as lovely as the ones blooming late Spring through early Summer, they still provide pollen and nectar for bees.

The bumble bee is facing the camera.

You can see its distinctive yellow hairs on the face.

Note the bright yellow pollen basket on its leg.