Honey bees (Apis mellifera), drinking at an ephemeral travertine seep, in the Gould Mine Wash, Saguaro National Park, Arizona. Please click the photo to enlarge.
I have spent too much time with the aquatic insect realm, and I am truly not very savvy regarding many terrestrial species. These bees were part of a large swarm. It was only after I got close enough for a clear shot that I (too late!) asked myself, “Could these be killer bees?” So many things in Arizona seem willing to jab or scratch or sting you. Luckily these turned out to be entirely calm and mild-mannered bees – the best kind for bumblers like me.
Dithyramb 