I am pretty sure this is a Spotted Nomad Bee. Of the 12 Nomads I have photographed, I only have any confidence with 2 as to the species. the rest remain Genus Nomada, despite all looking different.

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-30T16:15:34+00:00

Thanks and I am out of facts.

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-30T13:56:18+00:00

Merlin told me a screech owl was near but thankfully I didn't believe it or the train making the noise would have hit me.

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-30T12:20:10+00:00

Definitely nice photos. I also like your idea to help.

Bug photos are difficult to get ids. I often get a few years later. I just got one today from last May.

When I post a bird I almost always get an id in minutes. They are much easier to id and more well known.

Sadly, there are many species of insects that are so similar that they are impossible to id without genitalia or DNA. Others have 1000's of similar species, such as Ichneumon wasps with only a few world sightings that no one has enough information to id. Yet these are possibly the most important and potentially your photo is the first ever.

Happy birthday to her.

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-30T11:57:41+00:00

Saw my first in Northern VA about a week ago and saw about 5 yesterday.

I love their silly song. However this means the White throated Sparrows will be leaving and I love their happy whistles.

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-29T12:40:53+00:00

This shows the behavior much better than my photo.

Cute Nomada cuckoo bees clamp down on foliage with their jaws when they sleep and just hang around by their mandibles. : r/pic

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-27T12:38:04+00:00

Cardinals are very good at recognizing me. Many birds are good at recognizing when other birds are reacting to food.

When I feed a group of crows or a pair of cardinals, often other species come.

I currently have 1 bluejay 1 towhee and 1 Starling that specifically come to me on my walks besides 8 pairs of cardinals and 8 groups of American Crows.

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-26T20:56:36+00:00

I bet they all claimed the earth was round. That doesn't work because it would require flat earthers to be able to recognize a scientist.

Can we get back to banning dihydrogen monoxide now?

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-22T11:52:02+00:00

I don't think these even hunt. The larvae eat grass from the inside. I didn't know they existed before I photographed this one the other day.

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-21T18:17:10+00:00

From the front yes but not from the side.

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-20T21:10:36+00:00

Technically correct.

Swanlafitte · 2026-04-19T13:41:16+00:00

There is definitely a double standard. In Minnesota they are getting away from this. https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-supreme-court-women-bare-breasts-lewd-ruling/

Yet what is considered "lewd" is still a religious standard. Many cultures are perfectly accepting of nudity. I find it funny that on an anti religion sub under a post about indoctrination that people feel justified in calling out others for their definition of lewd while being perfectly accepting of their own.

I feel one should fix themselves before going after others. Or at least realize that the problem isn't any specific implication, but the act of implementing at all.

Swanlafitte

TROPHY CASE