Bill McClain
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wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Bill McClain
@wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
87 followers 73 following 52 posts
Writer and nature photographer. Acting locally to promote wildlife-friendly spaces, both private and public.
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wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
This great golden digger wasp is kinda cute and basically harmless. They naturally help keep other insect populations in balance.
#bugsky #nature #naturephotography
A Long, skinny black and gold wasp with large eyes and long antennae visits some pink snowberry blossoms
August 10, 2025 at 8:06 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
I wonder how the flower appears from the bee’s perspective.
Yellow-faced bumblebee and blanket flower.
#bees #bugsky #flower #nature #naturephotography
Black and yellow bee sits atop a yellow daisy-like flower with many pink and yellow stamens
August 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
It looks lethal but just a long ovipositor. Carrot wasps are docile and rarely sting (unless you’re a bug)
#bugsky #bees #nature #naturephotography
A thin-waisted wasp with a very long thin ovipositor sits atop yellow lovage blossoms
August 1, 2025 at 12:42 AM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
This fall, when you harvest your pumpkins and squash, thank your local bumblebees.
#bugsky #bees #plantsky #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #flower
A black and gold bumblebee crawling out of a dark yellow pumpkin blossom
July 24, 2025 at 10:49 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
I do love summer…
#bees #bugsky #wildlife #nature #naturephotography
Golden bumblebee sips nectar from violet fan flower
July 22, 2025 at 12:40 AM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Sweat bees are tiny jewels and their eyes are amazing.
#bugsky #bees #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #flower
Shiny metallic green sweat bee sits atop a yellow coreopsis blossom
July 10, 2025 at 11:20 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
King skimmer dragonfly showing off his amazing wing design.
#bugsky #wildlife #nature #naturephotography
Dragonfly with black and clear wing markings against a yellow background
July 1, 2025 at 3:11 AM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Beauty is best seen by looking closely.
#bugsky #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #plantsky #flower
An iridescent green fly sits atop the yellow center of a white daisy
June 27, 2025 at 3:00 AM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Ladybugs are super bugs 🐞 They naturally manage insect populations and help out as pollinators.
#bugsky #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #plantsky #flower
Ladybug crawling upside down on underside of a large white daisy illuminated by overhead sun.
June 25, 2025 at 11:21 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Tiger swallowtails were more plentiful when I was young. Now they are a treat to see.
#bugsky #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #flower #plantsky
Tiger swallowtail butterfly, yellow with black stripes and blue highlights, rests on some violet wallflower blossoms. He is sipping nectar with his long proboscis.
June 6, 2025 at 3:07 AM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Bees are beautifully delicate yet incredibly competent.
Flower is our native meadow checkermallow.
#bees #bugsky #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #flowers #plantsky
Black and gold bumblebee is head down in a delicate pink blossom.
May 28, 2025 at 11:50 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Our native Douglas’ meadowfoam is also called the poached egg flower (wonder why?)
Not sure if its visitor is a sweat bee or miner bee.
#bees #bugsky #flowers #plantsky #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #plants
White flower with large bright veined yellow center. A small, metallic black bee is visiting the flower.
May 26, 2025 at 9:25 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
The tongue (proboscis) is out in anticipation.
(Native penstemon ovatus)
#bees #bugsky #nature #naturephotography #flowers #wildlife #plantsky
Gold bumblebee approaching a blue and violet penstemon blossom with proboscis extended
May 25, 2025 at 3:31 AM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
These two know how to share.
#bees #bugsky #flowers #plantsky #nature #naturephotography #wildlife
Two orange and gold bumblebees are perched on a clump of violet wallflower
May 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
This handsome little beetle reminds me of inlaid wood patterns. Anyone able to identify him?
#bugsky #nature #naturephotography #wildlife
Brown beetle with longish antennas, and rectangular tapered body. The intricate pattern on his back with the brown and gold checkered strips along the edges reminds me of inlaid wood patterns.
May 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
The bees obviously enjoy our native big-leaf lupine.
#bees #bugsky #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #flower #plantsky
A yellow and gold bumblebee sips from indigo and violet lupine blossoms against a light green backdrop.
May 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Harlequin ducks, Fidalgo Island in the Salish Sea
#birds #birdphotography #wildlife #nature #naturephotography
A pair of black, white and chestnut patterned ducks paddle down a small rocky passage
May 16, 2025 at 6:48 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Not just another pretty face, the camas lily was an important food source for native Americans.
#bees #bugsky #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #plantsky #plants #flower
Bumblebee with swollen yellow pollen sac on his leg burrows into vivid purple camas blossom.
May 13, 2025 at 12:07 AM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
I hope the bumblebee nymphs appreciate the rosemary infused pollen.
#bees #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #bugsky
A yellow, orange and black bumblebee with a full pollen sac on its leg visits a rosemary blossom
May 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Coming out of hiding? Actually, the bumblebees dive under the leaves to access the wood sorrel blossoms. Another favorite native plant.
#nature #naturephotography #plantsky #plants #bugsky #bees
Small bumblebee pokes its head up between two wood sorrel leaves.
May 5, 2025 at 9:03 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Douglas iris. We are enjoying growing native plants in our garden.
#flower #flowerreport #plantsky #nature #naturephotography
Large purple iris bloom with yellow and black veins.
May 2, 2025 at 11:31 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
A small bumblebee visiting a native salmonberry blossom.
#bugsky #wildlife #nature #bees #naturephotography #plantsky #plants #flower
A bumblebee latches on to the underside of a pendant pink salmonberry blossom against a vibrant green background
April 25, 2025 at 4:47 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
This little guy was helping me in the garden this morning.
#wildlife #nature #naturephotography
Green tree frog with thin black stripe across his eyes sits among native strawberry vines
April 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
Ma and pa otter, only pa couldn’t stop eating long enough for a photo.
#nature #naturephotography #wildlife
A male and female river otter pose side by side. The male has a long fish tail hanging from its mouth.
April 14, 2025 at 7:15 PM
wmcclainwriter.bsky.social
I hadn’t realized that the coot’s feet were designed by Dr. Seuss.
#birds #naturephotography #birdphotography
Adult coot standing on a rock revealing its lime-green segmented legs and feet
April 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM