Black-tailed bumblebee

Thanks to Hayley Nasman for the current ID. Online images of Bombus melanopygus match the image for this spotting almost exactly. B. huntii image comparisons were just "close."

Hayley, you are correct. Although the Pacific is only 50 miles or so from Portland, and the Columbia River is tidal there, the coast range separates the Willamette Valley from the littoral zone. Portland is close to the coast, but not in a coastal environment. As for image quality, the circumstances were different between your spotting and mine. My spotting was made in winter. The bee was lethargic, so it was easy to get a close-up.

Thanks Mark. From several similar-appearing Bombus species, Bombus huntii seems the correct choice for this spotting, despite a remark on range in the EOL link which notes that B. huntii has not been reported in coastal areas. This is marginally relevant. Although this spotting did not occur in a coastal area, it was close. On the other hand, failure to observe something is not proof of its absence . . .