I found a beautiful Bumblebee the other day in a rare spot of sunshine – not that I’m moaning or anything, if it was too hot I’d be more disgruntled and it does mean no watering of plants is required ( the garden has grown out of control though, maybe too far to be reined in this summer!)

The bee looks as though it had been dusted with gold.

Then looking through the last few years photos I found quite a few more, laden down with pollen rather than gold dust I suspect.

Here’s a  few interesting bits and pieces about Bumblebees –

Their name refers to the hum they make – to bumble means to buzz.

There are many different names for them and different species (19-24 in Britain, depending on what you read, some of these close to extinction), but they are all known as Bombus.

When flying they build up an electrostatic charge, which is why they get covered in pollen.

They nest in the ground in tunnels or in amongst tussocky grass, usually in colonies of around 50.

They tend to visit the same patches of flowers every day but can fly around 1-2km to find food.

In British folklore they were believed to be messengers from the gods and to kill them was considered bad luck.

If one flew into your house it meant you would have good luck or a visitor but only if you let it leave of it’s own accord.

If one lands on your hand it means money is on the way if it lands on your head you are destined for greatness.

A good enough reason to grow lots of flowers in your garden! or, on the other hand it could be to help the Bumblebee and Honey bee survive – a win-win situation!