Wild Wednesday: Large Bee?

We've spent another fabulous and spectacular day in Italy. We started off with a drive along the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento to the town of Amalfi - fabulous views on a gloriously sunny day (I'm glad I wasn't driving the bus though - the roads are narrow & winding!). After looking round there (& having lunch) we went on to the town of Ravello, 1150 feet above sea level where we visited the Villa Rufolo. The Villa was built by a wealthy merchant family in the 13th Century but gradually deteriorated over the centuries until Sir Francis Neville Reid, a Scottish botanist, visited the villa in 1851. He fell in love with the Moorish towers and the expansive views, purchased the Villa and extensively renovated the gardens and as much of the Villa itself as was possible.

In honour of Wild Wednesday, I've chosen this picture of what I assume is a large, pollen-dusted bee about an inch long (or could it be a hornet? - if anyone's an expert please let me know) on a flower in the Villa gardens. It's lovely iridescent wings look blue in reflected light but brownish in transmitted light - by chance on the photo there's one of each.

The first extra shows the rather splendid view from the Villa gardens over the Amalfi Coast. The second shows the ornate interior of the Cathedral in Amalfi town. The third, for your amusement, is a sign outside a gelateria; I suspect there's been a slight error in translation although there's no doubt that Italian ice-cream does induce a sensation of considerable pleasure...!  ;-))

Many thanks to everyone for comments, stars & hearts this week and apologies that our timetable here leaves little spare time for commenting on other journals.