iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

It takes a lot for me to be startled by how large a spider is, but this Mediterranean Spiny False Wolf Spider (also known as a Nosferatu spider) my wife spotted in our garage did the trick. Absolute unit. I relocated him to more suitable environs. [Alameda, CA 9-12-26] #spiders

Impressively large spider on the inside of our side garage door.

Absolute unit of a spider at the bottom of a drinking glass for his relocation.

020

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

After it finally rained, clearing out the skies, the sun brought out the native bees. Many active Agapostemon subtilior males and females in this spot. The females searching for nesting spots in the ground then caught the attention of Nomada cuckoo bees. [Alameda, CA 9-4-26] #bees #nativebees

171

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I see it’s been four months since the last highly scientific Lasioglossum kincaidii thumbparison, so here’s the latest edition. [Alameda, CA 8-14-26] #bees #nativebees

A black and white bee sprinkled with yellow pollen perched on my thumb. For Science.

A black and white bee sprinkled with yellow pollen perched on my thumb, and scratching her head with one of her forelimbs. Quality word, forelimbs. For Science.

131

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

There’s a slanderous rumor that carpenter bees are always nectar robbing, but that’s not true. They’re perfectly willing to try doing it the old fashioned way if the flower is big enough, like this Hollyhock. [Alameda, CA 8-16-26] #bees #nativebees

051

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

“Uh, she’s doing something weird, I’ll just do a bit of grooming and move on.” It seems concentrating nectar is considered too vexing to interrupt with a mating attempt by male bees, as demonstrated by these longhorn bees. [Alameda, CA 8-16-26] #bees #nativebees

030

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

When there are so few grains of pollen left you can count them, it’s important to get them all. This Lasioglossum kincaidii will tell you thoroughness is the key to success. She also knows show & tell is the best teachable moment. [Alameda, CA 8-14-26] #bees #nativebees

031

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I’m not sure there was enough enthusiasm here to call this a real mating attempt, but either way, it seems even Masked Bees themselves have a hard time telling if another is a male or a female . The difference is pretty subtle. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ [Alameda, CA 8-8-26] #bees #nativebees

Two small black bees on yellow anise flowers, sizing each other up.

A small black bee climbing onto another on a background of yellow anise flowers.

A small black bee attempting to mate with another on a background of yellow anise flowers. It isn’t going well.

Two small black bees walking away from each other on a background of yellow anise flowers.

030

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Amateurs might get lured in by petals but this Dialictus knew better and went straight for the flower with just the good stuff. This isn’t slow motion - sticky flowers are tricky, but Grindelia is still wildly popular with most native bees. [Alameda, CA 8-8-26] #bees #nativebees

061

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Ceratina and Dialictus are friends. I’m not saying best friends, just pals. Metallic recognizes metallic. [Alameda, CA 8-8-26] #bees #nativebees

A dark small metallic Ceratina carpenter bee and a green Dialictus metallic sweat bee hanging out on a yellow Grindellia flower.

061

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Six limbs to grab pollen with probably sounds like plenty, but Ceratina small carpenter bees in a hurry don’t play around so grabbing with mouth parts as well it is. Also a nice look at how they move it back and pack it on their scopa. [Alameda, CA 7-6-26] #bees #nativebees

051

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

When Longhorn bees concentrate nectar it’s not so much blowing bubbles but spreading it out among their mouthparts to evaporate the water, as seen with this older female (missing one antenna) on a sunflower plant, appropriately enough. [Berkeley, CA 8-5-26] #bees #nativebees

031

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Sometimes doing your chores while covered in sticky pollen and dealing with the persistent wind is A LOT so you chomp on to a flower stamen to take a few moments for yourself before carrying on. [Alameda, CA 7-27-26] #bees #nativebees

0102

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Another occasional reminder that phoretic mites come in sizes appropriate to their bees. This little Halictus tripartitus has a single tiny pink mite on her eye. The mites hitch a ride to the nest where they act as a cleanup crew. [Alameda, CA 7-17-26] #bees #nativebees

A green and gray bee on an orange flower with a single pink mite on her black eye.

0102

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Speaking of finger sizes… This tiny Bold Jumping Spider earned his or her moniker by not retreating from the enormous thumb looming ever closer. Thank you for your heroic contribution to Thumbparison Science! [Alameda, CA 7-17-26] #spiders

Tiny black and white jumping spider on bright red flower petal.

Tiny black and white jumping spider on bright red flower petal, with giant thumb nearby, for highly scientific Thumbparison purposes.

092

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Seasonal disclaimer: I do not have giant finger tips. Dialictus bees are small. This has been my [Finger] Tip Talk. [Alameda, CA 7-17-26] #bees #nativebees

A small metallic green bee perched on my normal-sized index finger tip, with California poppies in the background.

A small metallic green bee on my normal-sized index finger tip, wings blurred as she’s about to take off.

020

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Sometimes a quick phone photo going against the direction of the light works out nicely. That’s it, that’s the whole message. [Alameda, CA 7-15-26] #pollinators #butterflies

040

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

We all often see male European Wool Carder bees fighting for turf, but we don’t often see the price - this fellow managed to lose three of his four wings in battle. In fairness the Stachys bush he was on is unusually crowded with males. [Alameda, CA 6-12-26] #bees #nativebees

A black and yellow bee with just one remaining wing out of four perched on my finger.

A black and yellow bee with just one wing out of four remaining perched on my finger.

A black and yellow bee with one wing nectaring from a pink Stachys Byzantina flower.

140

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

This very Bold Jumping Spider decided a cooler we left outside overnight was now his giant fortress but eventually I convinced him to skitter onto my hand and get relocated to more appropriate environs. [Alameda, CA 7-12-26] #macro #arachnids #spiders

A black jumping spider with white spots and bright green pedipalps perched on my hand.

A black jumping spider with white spots on his abdomen and white-spotted red stripes on his legs perched on my hand.

091

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Too chilly for much native bee activity around lunchtime yesterday, but this male Longhorn bee was still on duty, diligently watching his turf. Side note - yes, he clearly has been doing a lot of pollinating! [Alameda, CA 7-7-26] #bees #nativebees

0185

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

When Redflower Buckwheat is in full bloom (now, around here), it's insect pandemonium. Normally, you'll see a cuckoo bee occasionally. This bush had so many Nomada cuckoo bees, mostly males, that I got to witness aerial traffic collisions. [Alameda, CA 7-3-26] #bees #nativebees

A black and yellow bee on pink and white flowers, with another one approaching in the background.

A black and yellow bee on pink and white flowers in the foreground, while in the background two black and yellow bees just collided in flight.

A black and yellow bee on pink and white flowers in the foreground, another one hovering in the background and a third flying away after the collision in the previous photo.

A black and yellow bee on pink and white flowers with another hovering in the background, starting to move away.

060

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

In sidewalk predicaments of the day, travel charm going into action again this morning rescuing a few Monarch caterpillars..

171

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Another reminder of how sm- Waaaait that’s not it. This Pyrobombus queen is a quality chonker. Also look at her perfect haircut. Clearly also still a youth. [Oakland, CA 6-27-26] #bees #bumblebees #nativebees

Large black and yellow bumble bee perched on my index finger with quality MLK Shoreline scenery in the background.

082

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

“Right on the road with bike and car traffic is the perfect mating spot!” - these Pyrobombus ding-dongs. Travel charm to the rescue once again. [6-27-26] #bees #nativebees #bumblebees #pollinatorweek

A male bumble bee mating with a queen while another waits his turn, on road asphalt.

Mating trio (really just the queen) holding on to my green travel charm as I move them to a safer spot.

Mating trio on some ivy leaves where I deposited them.

052

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Cooler than anticipated at lunchtime yesterday but once again Kincaid’s sweat bees were a reliable sighting. [Alameda, CA 6-26-26] #bees #nativebees #pollinatorweek

030

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Double the Dialictus. It's rare that there are enough little metallic sweat bees in one spot to create a traffic jam, requiring them to politely wait for their turn, but it does occasionally happen. [Alameda, CA 6-23-26] #bees #nativebees #pollinatorweek

Two little metallic green bees on a white poppy flower. One is on the yellow stamens, the other one waiting her turn.

010

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

You probably don’t need a reminder of how small Metallic Sweat Bee males are, but it doesn’t hurt. Partially presented in SloMoVision. [Alameda, CA 6-22-26] #bees #nativebees #pollinatorweek

020

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Still chilly enough on my walk to work this morning that the one native bee I spotted was this sleeping male Longhorn. 😴 [Berkeley, CA 6-24-26] #bees #nativebees

A light brown bee with green eyes and long sniffing sticks sleeping on a pale pink flower.

A light brown bee with green eyes and long sniffing sticks sleeping on a light pink flower. Wide view with neighborhood houses in the background.

021

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

For those of you in the Bay Area who still have access to actual Live Television, the episode of OpenRoad with Doug McConnell And Friends airing tonight at 6:30 on KNBC has an appearance by yours truly and features the joys of chasing native bees. www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/o...

nbcbayarea.com

OpenRoad with Doug McConnell and Friends – NBC Bay Area

Explore the natural, historical and cultural treasures of the Bay Area and Northern California focusing principally in parks and open spaces protected by the public and made accessible to all people f...

100

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Longhorn season is slowing down but if you look carefully you can still see groups of males settling in for togetherness sleepy time in the evening. 😴 [Alameda, CA 6-18-26] #bees #nativebees

031

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

I never get tired of appreciating Hylaeus bees, always contenders for top “Wait, those are bees?” when you point them out to people. Between them and bright green Agapostemon, quality gateway bees combo. [Alameda, CA 5-26-26] #bees #nativebees

1102

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

This fearsome male Leafcutter bee diligently patrolling his turf… [Alameda, CA 6-6-26] #bees #nativebees

141

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

In this edition of Advanced Bee Grooming 101 - this male Colletes cellophane bee grooming with two of three legs from one side. Quality skills, would recommend. [Alameda, CA 5-23-26] #bees #nativebees

A light gray and black bee with long sniffing sticks, black eyes and prominent white mustache perched on my thumb, grooming himself.

030

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Why are female Melissodes longhorn bees always in a hurry? Because they deal with crazy traffic like this all the time. Dodging a male longhorn bee... who's being chased by a male Megachile perihirta, Western Leafcutter Bee. [Alameda, CA 5-22-26] #bees #nativebees

Brown yellow and black female longhorn bee on a bright red and yellow Gallardia flower, carrying lots of pale lavender colored pollen, minding her own business.

Female longhorn bee flying off the flower just in the nick of down as a male longhorn bee comes clumsily barreling in.

The reason for the male longhorn barreling through - here comes a male Western Leafcutter bee, with his distinctive white "mittens" on his front legs. The female longhorn is visible in the top of the frame, flying away.

Just the male longhorn bee in front of the flower, with half the female longhorn visible in the upper left of frame. Another turf protecting victory for Mr. Mittens.

031

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Hylaeus masked bees are out and about in proper numbers now - enough to cause the occasional traffic jam. [Alameda, CA 5-18-26] #bees #nativebees

042

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Female Melissodes Longhorn bees tend to be both hurrying and skittish because they’re outnumbered by a half-dozen frantic males so this one was unusually cooperative to let me record this clip like that. [Alameda, CA 5-26-26] #bees #nativebees

162

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Your latest occasional reminder that we all remain jealous of bees' superior backscratching skills, as demonstrated by this Halictus tripartitus. [Oakland CA 5-17-2026]

A small gray/green bee with yellow pollen on her back legs perched on my left middle finder, cleaning her back with her right middle leg.

A small gray/green bee with yellow pollen on her back legs perched on my left middle finder, cleaning the back of her head with her right middle leg.

A small gray/green bee with yellow pollen on her back legs perched on my left middle finder, cleaning her back with both middle legs.

060

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Like trying to eat two corndogs at the same time, the this little Dialictus bee getting a bit greedy story. [Alameda, CA 3-29-2026] #bees #narivebees

A little metallic green bee grabbing two bright yellow Rock Rose flower stamens to nibble pollen at the ends. The petals are pink with red spots at the inner ends.

050

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Someone told the bees about #WorldBeeDay because on my way home from work after 6pm the native bees in all weight categories were still active. [Alameda, CA 5-20-26] #bees #nativebees

An all-black Foothill female carpenter bee collecting pollen on yellow Aeonium arboreum flowers.

A small black and white Hylaeus masked bee on yellow Aeonium arboreum flowers.

A female Leafcutter bee drinking nectar on a purple inflorescence of Phacelia flowers.

050

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

For this #WorldBeeDay, I present this noted innovator Ceratina small carpenter bee who thought “Collecting pollen with six limbs is fine, but if I also use my tongue as a seventh-“ Presented in actual frantic speed vision. [Alameda, CA 5-15-26] #bees #nativebees

0152

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Always an unusual sight - a live honey bee drone. They never survive long once ejected from the hive so it must be nearby. I always see them in the same spot. At least he won’t get the indignity of getting stepped on on the sidewalk. [Alameda, CA 5-18-26] #bees

081

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

The carpenter bees were already on the move just after 7am this morning. They can sense a 80+ degree day coming. 🥵 [Alameda, CA 5-18-26] #bees #nativebees

051

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

I’ve been seeing fewer Hylaeus bees the last few years but it looks like they’re returning in more usual numbers this year. As always around the neighborhood, Aeonium arboreum flowers are their favorite. [Alameda, CA 5-14-26] #bees #nativebees

040

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Notable lunchtime bee observation of the day: my first male Halictus tripartitus of the year. The previous earliest were on May 25th last year. [Alameda, CA 5-12-26] #bees #nativebees

Gray/green bee with white abdominal stripes and extra long sniffing sticks on orange California poppy flower.

161

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

“You know what would be great for The Socials? The first female Longhorn appearing on Mothers Day.” “I got you, fam.” There she is, dodging the half dozen males and the combative male Leafcutter chasing them all on that patch of sidewalk. [Alameda, CA 5-10-26] #bees #nativebees

141

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

I am regularly seeing male Longhorn bees in the usual spots, so females emerging must be just days away now… [Alameda, CA 5-8-26] #bees #nativebees

0175

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

I’m not saying this Halictus tripartitus and I are besties, but we are pals. [Alameda, CA 5-7-26] #bees #nativebees

081

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

It turns out male Leafcutter bees don’t fight everyone on their turf. I’m not saying this Megachile perihirta male and Agapostemon subtilior female were besties, but they were pals. Nearby male longhorns, not at all. [Alameda, CA 4-26-26] #bees #nativebees

1126

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

It was chilly enough earlier today that I didn’t think I’d spot any native bees other than a few bumble bees. But Lasioglossum kincaidii are made of sterner stuff. Part of why I keep seeing more of them every year. [Oakland, CA 5-2-26] #bees #nativebees

161

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Taking your bee mimicking all the way to “Nap in flower because it’s too cold to fly today.” is hardcore commitment. [Eristalis arbustorum, Eurasian Drone Fly, Oakland, CA 5-2-26] #entomology #flies

A honey bee mimicking fly sleeping in a yellow black mustard flower.

050

Hella Bee Nerd @sfbaybees.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

I somehow didn’t know that junior Anise Swallowtail caterpillars look like 🐦 💩 until I was today years old. I usually just recognize them when they’re much larger. [Alameda, CA 5-1-26 & Berkeley 4-29-26] #pollinators #butterflies

071