Peter found these bumbleebees grouped up at the trailhead. He noted that the ground was perfectly dry, but wondered if someone peed there several days before. We don’t usually see bumbleebees congregating like this unless they are in their nest. Nests are typically in pre-existing cavities like rock piles, empty mouse burrows, and under layers of dense vegetation. If you have any theories for this behavior, please send them our way!
Photo by: Peter Lesica on 7/12/21 by Alkalai Lake near Eureka, MT