by scott lanz
Honeybee on milkwood with a bg of mixed coneflowers (see my last post in flora). Normally, I post insect images in close-up & macro, but this bee is not really that close, and sort of accents the flowers and floral colors, so I thought I would post it here. However, I have also posted an alternate cropped version in macro & CU. Other crop suggestions, as well as any other comments, questions or suggestions, welcome. D600, 150 sigma macro, 1/1250, f4, iso 400, tripod supported. 
Comments
10 commentsAnd, just for the heck of it, here is a "tweener" crop, which which takes a little off both sides and a little more off the top. I think is the version I prefer.
</div>The colors are stunning and the comp is very pleasing, Scott. I think that I like the crop a bit better, just because it feels a little bit more rich (color wise).
Nathan
Scott - Superb setting for this bee to get highlighted. Great colors.
I too prefer your cropped version - emphasizes the diagonal better.
PS : There was a question about whether Bees/Butterflies perch on those yellow/red coneflowers. I was digging through the archives and can confirm that they do. I have a huge swallowtail feeding on the red coneflower like crazy.
Hi Scott
This composition captures natures beauty perfectly. 
delightful form and color make this a extraordinary scene.
i too prefer the croped version.
Albert Darmo
Canada
This works surprisingly well Scott, mostly due to that delicious BG
I actually prefer this one, a real wall hanger.. and that's sayin' a lot with bug the recent dip in bug sales
Very nice!!
PS - I like this one, although the 'tweener' is a great.. tweener
I think either one of these works well, but I believe I like the macro cropped version better. It has a much more intimate feel to it. The tweener version is a fence straddler. It would be my third choice.
Just fabulous, Scott ! I like this even better than your macro version, which is saying one heck of a lot !! There is an extraordinarily serene mood to this, created partly by the light but also by the plane of focus selection witth its sharp accents blending the bee with the flowers so well. Superbly composed and executed !!!!
Scott, I prefer this to your macro version and like the second post. I like the mixture of the sharp eye and the beautiful softness. The background is very enjoyable. Beautiful work!
Scott, very nice and I think the background colors are a big plus. For this one I think I would like either a little cropped off the bottom and right, or a square format. Your macro crop is also nice, although I would raise the view (lower the subject) a bit.
Scott: What a marvelous shot! Superb DOF management and the BG is really special. Most excellent! >=))>