I’m assuming she is a queen, since only the queens are supposed to last through the Winter. In any case, when I first encountered her on a cold morning she looked still and dead, hanging from the Lavender ‘Sidonie’ flower by her front legs.
And then as the sun came out, she slowly crawled up over the flower and started cleaning the water droplets off her antennae.
Then she had a good look at me and the camera.
Before taking some nectar for breakfast.
And having another little rest while the sun warmed up.
When she took to the wing.
Absent Gardener 
I love!!!
They are quite lovable 🙂
I love it too! 🙂
Wow these are amazing. I assumed bees hibernated, or some such, but perhaps your winters aren’t as cold as ours.
I think they do normally, just the queen. But it isn’t that cold here so they get out and about on sunny days.
A lovely photo story! Amelia
Thank you!
What wonderful pictures – I do admire you catching the whole process from start to finish – just lovely.
Thank you, it was fascinating to watch.
Gorgeous photography! You have framed your macros very nicely. We haven’t cut our lovly lavender yet and I tried some shots of all the busy insects yesterday. It’s overwhelming, they put a big smile on my face every day. 🙂