Worth the pain

On the first really hot day of the year (as we West Coasters count hotness: up to 30°) I was glad to find an abandoned lane, shaded by heaps and mounds of blackberry canes, wild roses, tame roses gone wild, and little green apples. And, unfortunately, also by the beautiful and horribly invasive Japanese knotweed.

At the bottom of the hill, I found these:

Sweet rocket, Hesperis matronalis

And this:

Bee or bee mimic?*

*Update: Sweat bee, Lasioglossum. BugGuide id.

More from this lane, tomorrow. And there's a beach down at the bottom, a beach not made for walkers, all loose, round stones through the upper zone. I fell and bashed my legs and cut my foot, so the visit was cut short, and I took few photos. But I'll be back!