The snowdrops, crocuses and daffs which have been the subject of my last few entries are all flowering simultaneously which is manna to the bees now starting to emerge. In London's comparatively mild climate it's possible to design a garden that's nectar and pollen rich for much of the year.

 When they unfurl in the morning sun the "Tommies" are the first to attract foraging bees.

 As the sun moves overhead it illuminates the end of the garden and almost immediately bees are drawn to that area.

 I had to laugh at this big old bumbler. This was probably its first foray out of hibernation. To comical effect it clambered clumsily among the crocuses which could barely support its weight. It was very sleepy, very groggy and clearly had only just woken up. I know that feeling.

 Postscript What may be the same bee has been returning to the same flowers looking considerably refreshed- snuffling its snout into them with great vigour, dusted with pollen, moving hungrily from one flower to the next. A good example of pollination in action...