Bumblebee Feeding on a Crimson Single Dahlia

A bumblebee clings to the bright yellow centre of a single-flowered dahlia, its furry body dusted with pollen. The petals are a saturated crimson-pink, with fine yellow specks of pollen scattered across their surface. Strong sunlight picks out the veins and gentle folds in the petals and lights the bee's golden-brown fur and translucent wings. Behind the flower, deep green leaves fall into shadow, which makes the red and yellow stand out. The mood is warm and still, like a sunny afternoon in a garden.

The facts identify the insect as a common carder bumblebee, Bombus pascuorum, photographed in September. This species is widespread across much of Europe and is easy to recognise by its ginger-brown thorax. It stays active late into the year, and open, single-flowered dahlias help it because the pollen and nectar are easy to reach, unlike on tightly doubled blooms. Bumblebees collect pollen on their hairy bodies and carry it between flowers as they feed. The square format suits a phone lock screen, a tablet, or a centred desktop layout where the flower can fill the middle of the display.

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