I am often struck by particular aspects of creatures I am observing. I am particularly fond of unusual (to me) legs, be it because they are proportionately unusual or striking in some other fashion. Here are some of my favorites, with hopes I am not the only one.
Partamona (a type of stingless bee) have deep pockets on their legs for gathering pollen. They rotate their legs so that these pockets face forward when they fly, I believe so that the pollen does not fall off, and thus in flight, they appear black solid even if carrying pollen (unless overstuffed like this one – there is no hiding that), making them quite hard to spot. Here is a Partamona with “empty” pockets and lovely leg extensions.
Please share some legs on iNaturalist that have surprised or impressed you.
Some birds have them, too. But, they are used for a different purpose than what the bees use them for. (I don’t want to give away anything. The video and webpage are really worth watching/reading.)
On the swift feather-legged fly (great common name, very accurate), what are the things at the base of the wings that look like yellow backpack straps, do you know?
