Agapostemon splendens

male
Click any image to see a larger version.

The Entire-leaved Gumweed (Grindelia integrifolia) remains in bloom in Port Angeles and Sequim, WA even in mid September (2006). Among the many species feeding on the mature flowers are these halictid bees, Agapostemon splendens.

I photographed these males on a single plant growing at the top of a cliff just south of Dungeness Spit. These ground-nesting bees may be digging in the sandy cliff face nearby. More images of this species can be found on BugGuide.net.