Before photographing flying dragonflies, the macro workshop I attended a few years ago had attendees photograph bees in flight. This macro photography workshop was very entertaining and educational. We were able to quietly observe the habits of these pollinators to optimize our chances of getting them in flight. Here are two bee shots and their stories.
We were in a large field of wildflowers, and the White Prickly Poppies seemed to be the bees’ favorites. I must admit that photographing bees in flight is much easier than dragonflies. The wildflower fields at our disposal were terrific and had many wildflowers.
If you look carefully at the shot above, it shows a lot of pollen on the petals of the White Prickly Poppy. In both shots, you can also clearly see the pollen basket (also known as corbicula) in the hind legs of these bees. The bees carry pollen in those baskets back to their nests or hives. Watching these bees pollinating was a real treat.
Until next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
For Cee’s FOTD.
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Anonymously Hal
Beautiful shots!
Egídio Leitão
Thank you, Hal. I appreciated the feedback (and subscription).
Anonymously Hal
You’re welcome!!
Anne Sandler
Great images of bees in action. Even though I’m allergic to them, they are necessary. So we’ve made a pact: I don’t bother them and they don’t sting me. I always use a long lens!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne. I wish more people would learn from your wise words. (WP had put your comment in my spam folder. Go figure!)
margaret21
I always love your posts featuring flowers and foragers. You’re rather good at getting both together. Not easy.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Margaret. I like it when those two come together.
Vicki
Wonderful images, Egidio. That must have been a very interesting workshop.
(I’ve only captured one bee with a pollen basket and that’s by sheer accident when I was photographing the flowers). I have photographed other bees in detail, but not with the pollen so clear in the image(s).
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for the feedback. Yes, that workshop was so much fun that I decided to repeat it six months later.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
these two are beautifully photographs
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ritva. I had imagined that first photo in my head several times. It was good to finally see it before my eyes.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
The first was just lovely and also very much in focus
Toonsarah
Excellent macro photography of both the bees and those gorgeous poppies!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Sarah.
carabeinsplash
Those are some great photos Egidio! You make it seem so easy, but I know it’s not. Those little bees are quick and you got them in flight! I love your super sharp images.
Egidio Leitao
May I ask your name? I hate not to address you properly. About the shots, it just takes lots of patience and a bit of luck. That main shot, for example, I had envisioned it in my head for a long time. Once I saw so much activity on that poppy, I knew it wouldn’t take long to capture a bee ready to land.
carabeinsplash
Cara is fine. 🙂 Your patience and luck came through on those photos!
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks, Cara.