About a month back I dug some trenches for Asparagus, shortly after doing this I found alot of Mason Bees visiting the dirt near by and collecting it to build their homes.

I could see dozens of them at a time all around harvesting the mud. Though getting a picture proved to be alot harder than I thought it would be.

Out of dozens I took, I got one keeper and wanted to share it with the community. The hardwood mulch can be seen around the bee, I use it as long lasting fertilizer. The Mason Bee is off to the right of the picture, its resting on a piece of a wood chip. Its focused on a piece of georgia red clay. The material makes great homes and glad they have such a resource on my property.

The Bees got their name from this behavior, by collecting mud and placing it in the homes I have constructed for them. Along with the pollen they get from the flowers they place it in the homes and seal off each cell with newly found mud from near by. After awhile they finish off a hole and move onto the next one to start the process over again.

Its hard to get a photo as they tend to move around while collecting mud and rarely staying still as I approach them. These Bees never take a break and I am amazed by their constant work ethic. Only resting at night or when its too cold, rainy or windy.

 Camera Model Lumix GH3  Lens Olympus MSC ED M. 60mm Macro lens  Filter none  Aperture f/2.8  Shutter Speed 1/640 sec  Film Speed 200  Spectrum Visual Light  Wavelength 380 through 700 nanometers  Location North Georgia USA.