Orange-belted Bumble Bee

After 24 years gazing at Kiket Island across the bay, I finally got to explore it today.  I met this fellow right at the entrance.  I believe it is an Orange-belted Bumble Bee worker (Bombus ternarius) taking care of a Himalayan Blackberry flower (Rubus discolor).  Bumble bees are important pollinators and are not aggressive unless their nests are disturbed.  Consider them friends and allies in the garden.  There will be more about this Kiket Island visit at Fidalgo Island Crossings.