Gordon Beningfield: Buff-tailed Bumble Bee

Artist: Gordon Beningfield
1936 - 1998
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1985
Image Size: 7 by 6 inches
Overall Size: 13 by 11 inches
Medium: Water Color on Cold Press Illustration Board

Bobbing from apple blossom to apple blossom, and honeysuckle to honeysuckle, handsome Buff-tailed Bumble Bees busily visit the blossoms in Britain's magnificent flower gardens. This large bee -- one of the largest of all bees -- gained its name through the lazy humming sound it makes as it flies about the garden. This unusual sound also earned the Bumble Bee its nickname of "Humble Bee." Although the Buff-tailed Bumble Bee is well-known in Britain, it is also a garden creature that can be found all over the world. The largest representation of Bumble Bee species lives in the tropical and supbtropical zones. Although it is beautiful to look at and fascinating to watch, this interesting garden aviator has many enemies. Birds, badgers ... even mice prey upon this delightful garden visitor. When attacked, the Bumble Bee will defend itself by biting and stinging. It oftens rolls on its back with its jaws wide open and stinger protruding. Sometimes the Bumble Bee will squirt venom into the air in this position. Since the creature's stinger is not barbed like the honeybee's, it can be withdrawn from an attacker. Whether spied munching clover or bobbing from blossom to blossom, the Buff-tailed Bumble Bee is one of the most endearing creature's of Britain's gardens.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Great Britain 17p Buff-tailed Bumble Bee stamp issued March 12, 1985.

Artwork Copyright © 1985 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): Sold

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-287-4079 from throughout U.S. and Canada.