Males hanging together

[blacknstormy]

Lipotriches australica (Nomia australica), or the nomia bees - Females nest in the ground where they dig 'nests' or in rotting wood, males do not nest but cluster together at night. This is an aggregation of males clustering together on dusk - I just think they are so cool

[ATJ]

Way cool, Rel. The one in the middle at the top looks like he's giving the others a lecture.

[gstark]

Way cool, Rel. The one in the middle at the top looks like he's giving the others a lecture.

"I'm glad you were all ble to come here today for this important meeting ...."

Great stuff, Rel. Sharp, great colour, and what a subject.

[sirhc55]

Indeed a superb and very interesting photo but how did Gary get in there (top centre)

[Alpha_7]

Great shot Rel, as ATJ suggested you get a sense of personification with the bees pictured acting more in a human like style. Nicely lit too.

[NatalieM]

What a cool shot, just the right moment.

[Willy wombat]

Made me go wow!

[colin_12]

This is a cool shot Rel.
Are these a non aggressive or stingless bee?

[blacknstormy]

Thanks for all the feedback guys

If it is Gary at the top lecturing us all, is there a reason why we are all facing the other way and showing him our bums ???? LOL

Colin - these are native bees, and as they are all males, they do not possess a sting - it is only the females that are capable of stinging ... most of the female native bees (other than the stingless bee obviously LOL) have pretty small stings and aren't actually capable of stinging us , the other larger natives can sting, and apparantly it can be painful, but are not aggressive so you'd have to be pretty unlucky - scare the crap out of one or step on one etc to get stung.

Glad you like 'em as much as I did

[big pix]

....... good one Rel

....... my caption " who's turn to buy the beers "