It's the time of year when bee photos flood into NatureSpot, so it must be time to write about bees. More...

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has published a very useful guide to taking identifiable bumblebee photos (perhaps they were inspired by our own Photography section?). In summary, several shots are necessary:

• Dorsal view
• Front view
• Side view
• Rear view

Taking a series of photos like this (if the bee doesn't fly away - don't try and get too close) will make your records more likely to be accepted because the bee can be identified. 

If you want to become an expert, a series of free Bumblebee Identification Workshops at the Leicester Botanic Garden are coming up - put the dates in your diary.