I Have A Bee.

A carpenter bee has moved into my fence.  Carpenter bees usually come in small numbers, like one or two.  They resemble bumblebees, but a little shinier.  They are an important pollinator of flat daisy-type flowers.

My bee is very good at disappearing.  I just happened to spot her zoom into a hole in my fence a few days ago.  Since then, nothing but sawdust.  Yes, sawdust, every day a little more at the top of the hole.  She is busy in there, building a home for her children. 

No guy-bee in view.  I know, because if she had a husband, he would be guarding the hole in the fence and come out charging every time I leaned my nosy face down to peek in.  He would be scary, but mostly bluff, since the poor chap doesn't have a stinger.  No, no guy-bee to help with the hive.  I figure my bee is a struggling single mother. 

But I have a bee.  Cool.

(I am in Urbana, IL (USA), also on twitter/illinihoneybee)