A really big bee - Xylocopa sonorina

Harmless

As has been mentioned, this is a male and they can't sting. Even the females, though, are pretty safe. You'd practically have to grab one in your hand to get it to sting (though they might be more aggressive in defense of their nests). I had one land on me, and I shooed it off without getting stung.

… Chuck Entz, 30 March, 2007 - 1:11pm

definitely

this is a male Xylocopa varipuncta, the males can't sting so you should be fine. males are always orange, the females are black and bigger.

… William Ericson, 29 March, 2007 - 9:01pm

When i was a kid we had a lem

When i was a kid we had a lemon tree in the backyard and we'd get these huge black bees and my mom always called them "California Bumble Bees" like that was the name or something. I'm assuming thats the female counterpart to this guy.

… marcusjb, 29 March, 2007 - 9:17pm

You'll find photos of females (more males too) here:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/13232/bgimage?from=0

You're a real photographer since you stayed and shot! (I've been proven otherwise.) Friends of mine are into bee sting therapy, which makes me wince. BTW, I live in Irvine.

… Ron Hemberger, 29 March, 2007 - 10:28pm

Hard to see

Welcome to Bug Guide. If you can crop your photo more tightly, that'll increase your odds of a quick, accurate identification. Neat bee!

… Ron Hemberger, 29 March, 2007 - 8:44pm