the recent cool weather seems to have slowed things down in terms of insect activity but there are still plenty of these attractive bees about when the sun shines This is the female and they're the ones that create small holes in your lawn surrounded by excavated soil. They lay eggs in there ready to emerge next year.
This one is photographed on some heather with blue sky in the background using a mix of natural light and flash.
Canon 60D with 60mm macro lens and diffused MT-24 flashgun, f11, 1/200, ISO 400.
Hi Matt, alway good to see animals at the other end of the spectrum, size wise.
Well executed, with great detail. Might lose the tip of the heather creeping in on the foot of the image, WDYT? How do you keep them there to give yourself enough time to compose, focus, shoot?
TFS
Steve
Posted by Paul Whippey on April 17, 2012 at 5:31 PM
Cracking image as usual Matt.
I've been watching Andrena tibialis burrowing in my garden. They are in between the stones in the path and have been collecting nectar for their young to feed on once hatched. Unfortunately they are not as photogenic as yours These are fascinating insects.
Posted by John Robinson on April 17, 2012 at 5:43 PM
Usual good stuff Matt. The flower would make a great stack too !!
JR
Steve, I think you're right about the tip of heather. Now that you've pointed it out it really catches the eye The trick to getting them to pose for you is to catch them when they're still cold. This one had partially warmed, so it was feeding, but it was early in the morning so every time the sun went in it woud sit still for a while.
Paul, I agree the various mining bees are all interesting to watch. I always look out for the cuckoo bees (nomada bees) as their behaviour can be interesting too.
Matt
Posted by David Sewell on April 17, 2012 at 5:50 PM
A cracking image, as always, and I like the way the colours work together.
David
Posted by David Taylor on April 18, 2012 at 7:23 AM
I photographed one of these on a pear flower last week, unfortunately its colouring doesn't make for a good colour anaglyph. I can't wait for universal glasses free 3D screens. Well up to your consistantly high standard, Matt.
Discussion
10 repliesThis one is photographed on some heather with blue sky in the background using a mix of natural light and flash.
Canon 60D with 60mm macro lens and diffused MT-24 flashgun, f11, 1/200, ISO 400.
There are more on my blog
All C+C welcomed.
Matt
Keith.
Stunning quality as always.
Well executed, with great detail. Might lose the tip of the heather creeping in on the foot of the image, WDYT? How do you keep them there to give yourself enough time to compose, focus, shoot?
TFS
Steve
I've been watching Andrena tibialis burrowing in my garden. They are in between the stones in the path and have been collecting nectar for their young to feed on once hatched. Unfortunately they are not as photogenic as yours
JR
Steve, I think you're right about the tip of heather. Now that you've pointed it out it really catches the eye
Paul, I agree the various mining bees are all interesting to watch. I always look out for the cuckoo bees (nomada bees) as their behaviour can be interesting too.
Matt
David