Bumblebee with Mites, UK

Brilliant close-up of this beautiful bee. Poor thing with its numerous mites but is quite attractive with the pollen covering. Excellent snoopx!

A hard working gardener.

I came across it one morning by chance on the local flower bed. The outside temperature was only +10C or so which made it very slow moving - virtually stationary as it waited for things to warm up. Was thus able to capture it at a slow 1/100 of a sec shutter speed and still get it fairly sharp.
One source I saw said they came to the aid of a mite-ridden bumblebee once by plonking it in a cup of water which immediately made the mites let go and sent them scurrying off!