Dive bombers parked

Summer is a noisy affair in the Swiss Alps, especially near our lavendar plants, which thrum and hum with giant bumblebees on warm days. We've had so much hot weather than when the temperature suddenly dropped I noticed the quiet almost as soon as I noticed that I needed another layer of clothing.

The dive bombers - the bees hover and then suddenly zaaaap! they go for the flowers on hot days - were parked. They were neatly lined up on stalks of lavendar, peacefully drinking, hardly moving.

Here's one small group of them (you might need to enlarge it to see all the bees), in the lavendar parking lot, as well as a closeup. If you have ever tried drinking upside down you'll be impressed by their skill.