The Aliens Are Back – A Spring Encounter

Every year around this time, I start watching the ground a little more closely – and right on cue, they return. The “aliens” of the desert are back.

Digger bees, often from the genus Anthophora, are among the most fascinating early signs of spring. With their shimmering green eyes, fuzzy bodies, and incredibly fast, darting movements, they look like tiny creatures from another world. Hovering just above the ground, they zip back and forth before suddenly disappearing into small burrows, only to reappear moments later. It is easy to see why they feel a bit extraterrestrial.

Spending time observing and photographing them today was a reminder of how much activity is happening right under our feet. Each female bee digs her own tunnel in sandy or loose soil, where she lays her eggs and carefully provisions them with pollen. The males, on the other hand, can often be seen flying low over the ground, constantly on the move in search of mates. This creates that lively, buzzing scene that draws attention every year.

Despite the flurry of activity, digger bees are solitary and generally non-aggressive. They do not form colonies like honeybees, and they are far more interested in their work than in us. Even though their numbers and movement can seem intense at first, they rarely sting and pose little threat.

Beyond their unusual appearance and behavior, they play an important role as pollinators, supporting both wild plants and crops. Their presence is not just a curiosity – it is a sign of a healthy, functioning ecosystem.

For me, their return is one of those small but meaningful seasonal markers. Strange, beautiful, and just a little bit alien, these bees are always something I look forward to seeing each year.