The female red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) is a very large, black bumblebee with a big red ‘tail’. It is a social bee, nesting in old burrows, or under stones and can be found in gardens, farmland, woodland edges, hedgerows and heathland: anywhere there are flowers to feed on. This was spotted on some Asters (if I can still call them that) in one of the walled terraces on St Michael’s Mount last week.
Aster novi-belgii
Flower Portrait: Trudi Ann
(please click to enlarge)
Nalinki at Angles and Views has started #flowersoverflowers where we can share our favourite blossoms of the week. It seems like a good idea to spread some blooms across the Internet. I am more than happy to join in.
Plant Portrait: Little Man in Blue
(please click to enlarge)
Nalinki at Angles and Views has started #flowersoverflowers where we can share our favourite blossoms of the week. It seems like a good idea to spread some blooms across the Internet. I am more than happy to join in.
Plant Portrait: Michaelmas Daisy
(please click to enlarge)

Celebrate St Michael’s Day today with Michaelmas Daisy – Aster novi-belgii ‘Jenny’ (click link to visit a specialist Aster garden)
Nalinki at Angles and Views has started #flowersoverflowers where we can share our favourite blossoms of the week. It seems like a good idea to spread some blooms across the Internet. I am more than happy to join in.
This is my 500th post on the flower blog. I am not sure how many more flowers and gardens I can find, but I do have an idea for a challenge on this site next year, so keep your eyes peeled for more information nearer the time. Meanwhile I would like to acknowledge with gratitude all my readers and followers who have liked and commented and encouraged me to write about and photograph Nature’s beauty.