Megachilidae

Always fun to find an unusual bee in the garden and today's find is a Megachile (leaf cutter) bee.  I have not been able to get it to a species yet but hope to narrow it down soon.  I don't see a lot of leaf cutters here so this made my heart speed up a bit - happily, it was very content to hang out while I grabbed a few shots.  You will notice the yellow "boots" which are actually the waxy pollen sacs from the milkweed, called pollinia.  All the bumble bees are wearing them right now so I guess they are trending.

I also found several mid-sized monarch cats in the swamp milkweed.  I decided to leave them in place and let nature take its course.  And, I have to confess that I now have 8 tiny little first/second instar caterpillars in the nursery so I need to show a little self control...

Yesterday I had to send off a complete list of all expenses related to the  Brazil trip.  I thought I was handling everything very well, but I think that triggered a surge of anxiety that continued into today.  Fortunately, I had lunch plans today with a good friend (who also battles depression and anxiety) and spending a few hours with her was just what I needed to get my head back straight.  I feel much more settled now.  Anxiety is somewhat new for me and I have to say that I really hate the way it feels - like I'm about to combust, if that makes sense.  

In nest box news - the bluebird babies hatched today and the parents were not at all happy with me when I opened the box to check.  I took a quick iPhone pic and left.  The wren eggs haven't hatched yet but expect they will within the next 24 hours.  I would not want to be a bug right now...

xoxo
Debbi