Red tailed bumblebee

The bees are out! Not a fan of this shrub my landlady planted but it's staying as it is alive with busy bees.

I think I've now correctly ID'd it as a red tailed bumblebee.. A solitary bee which lived in burrows.

And what are the white things on his neck.. ? For a mo I thought this was pollen till I've gone away and read further how bees collect it.