Blue Banded Bandit

There were a few of these blue banded bees this morning darting around the salvia like pin balls.  They didn't seem to land anywhere and were flying around like maniacs.  All except this one which was relatively sedate enough for me to catch it here and a bit more front on in the extra.

I am just back from a meeting and we have had lovely rain this evening.  So much so I found the other extra on the front path.  I wonder if we are in the middle of a plague what with the heat on the weekend and now frogs.

Thanks again to wrperry for hosting.