What do they forage on?

[mat]

I noticed that my bees are returning the the hives with their backs whitish, looks like from polen. But they do not bring polen so probably nectar. Others bring light gray polen in their pockets. Which flowers cause that, does anybody know? I am in Massachusetts.

[Brian D. Bray]

Bees often get what is called a mixed load (honey & pollen) from incidental contact while harvesting nectar.  Bees will usually gather only one type of substance during its life time.  So the bees split the work load with most gathering nectar, the next largest contingent is collecting pollen, followed by water, propolis, and other materials.  Some will contend that bees will frequently carry a mixed load on purpose==I've always believed it to be more incidental than purposeful and the bees coming back dusted with pollen are just as likely to be nectar gathers as it is pollen gathers.

[mat]

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This is what I ment. Do you see those with very light spots on their backs? I havent seen that before during the season. I wonder which flowers couse that.