Alex Smith 🌹

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

@Questio32995856 @BBCBreakfast @BBCNews Young people are being offered Pfizer and Moderna, not Astrazeneca

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

I'm coming back to this one after several years having realised this is Bombus huntii, not ternarius! I've learned the yellow face is a big giveaway.

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

Bombus ternarius - orange-belted bumblebee

Lucky that its still early enough in the autumn to see bees in more temperate Canada!

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

@joshbombus This silly expensive phone is good for some things as it turns out.

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

Today I saw a pair of Sphecodes (unknown app.) Blood Bees mating (it's that time of year!) And got up close and personal with a Ruby Tailed Wasp (Chrysis ignita). Small and colourful seems to be the theme! #GardenWildlife

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

@joshbombus You have me reading and now I'm fascinated by the possibility

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

Going to disappearing from twitter for a little while! I'll still be posting on Instagram from time to time https://t.co/XEwHznEHah

But for now, I just have too much going on and all the social media feeds are doing me no good!

Be well all :)

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

Today really was just an excellent day to be looking for insects. Skippers, Fritillaries, Skimmers and all the rest #UKWildlife #BFCRanger

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

@StephenMoss_TV @MatthewStadlen I have had this and it is deeply deeply unpleasant.

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

All sorts of skippers, damselflies and butterflies sheltering in the tall grasses and trees today. Bring back the sun please! #BFCRanger

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

A reminder that even these teeny mini meadows can make a huge difference

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

Dad's wildflower area is looking great and a pleasure to see quite so many Wool Carder Bees! (Anthidium manicatum) buzzing around in such a small space... #GardenWildlife #Bees

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

Whilst it is stunningly hot at the moment, it's also great for the butterfly surveys going on across the borough. Great show of Small Skipper and Small Heath today #BFCRanger

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

Sometimes, when you leave the grass to grow, you will be amazed what you can find in even the smallest of green spaces. "Mini-meadows" can be deeply valuable food and nesting resources for invertebrates, small mammals and birds in the wider urban area... #BFCRanger

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

Marlow 🥾➡️🥾 Henley

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

@Aliceparfitt I'm so sorry to hear this

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

Absolutely stunning Rosemary Beetle, no prize for guessing the plant I found it on... #GardenWildlife

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

@Aliceparfitt I cant seem to catch bees for the flies at the moment! Must be a good time of year :)

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

@StephenMoss_TV The lockdown quiz will have a lot to answer for when all this is said and done

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

A few more new names in the garden today. The European Rose Chafer is a very distinctive beetle at this time of year, as is the Forest Cuckoo Bumblebee, with its conical abdomen, white stripes and a little red butt #Bees #GardenWildlife

[Alex Smith 🌹 @therealalexs66]

I hate that autcorrect changes spp. to app. What sort of world are we living in?