Some Osmia Sketches

The weather is still beautiful, if colder now and I am reluctant to be indoors. I spent most of the day out cycling and walking by the water, and failing miserably to get any good bee photos.

But eventually I made myself sit down with a sketch book, paints, a pencil and my models, two Osmia rufa bees. One male and one female.
Despite my best efforts to rescue, revive and release the lost bees (seven today), some have died.
I found 3 papery little bodies when we moved in, curled up on the window ledges.
As sad as this is I have to be practical and can make some studies which all helps my knowledge and understanding. And it’s a chance to pay a little homage.

osmia bee male

The males have long antennae and moustaches but are quite a bit smaller than the females.

 

osmias 2

Male and female Osmia rufa, casualties of .. well ….just of life… I guess.

Three days ago there were lots of males, now it seems just females are getting into the house.

I suppose they are looking for a nest site and have taken a wrong turn somewhere in the labyrinthine wall cavities.
I am trying to get back to some daily sketching after what seems like a long time.
Hopefully poco a poco, a little every day. 🙂

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9 Comments

  1. Sad – but very beautiful sketches Val. I've been sitting on my allotment this afternoon watching them buzzing in and out of their new bee hotel … think i spotted first leafcutter of the year too! xx

  2. Yah you are back !! lovely bees Val, so happy to see your bees again.

  3. So cool! That's all I have to say, nothing pithy….

  4. It's such a real treat to be seeing your art work again.

  5. These are delightful. You are teaching us such a lot!

  6. Absolutely fantastic! You're truly gifted!!

  7. As ever lovely pics – do you use a magnifying glass to get all the details?
    Have you moved? are you still in Orlando

  8. Hi Val, It is great to have the chance to watch them up close, even if is is because them get lost in the house. I found both males and females love Erysumum Bowles Mauve and I can watch them from my conservatory now, and they are also nesting in holes in the wall of my house. My husband thought they might be damaging the house, but I hope I have convinced him that they might actually be adding more mortar between the bricks as they are mason bees…

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