“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.”
Henry David Thoreau
Spring seems to be in full force in Austin, Texas. Not only are the city and surrounding areas getting covered with wildflowers, but pollinators have also started to show en masse around these new wildflowers. On previous years’ bike rides near Balcones District Park, I have seen excellent patches of Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) covering parts of the area.
The two photos I feature here were captured in one of those rides in that park. What I liked about them was my perspective. I could look at the Bluebonnets from above and see the honey bees (Apis mellifera) from that angle. Using a macro lens gave me a very shallow depth of field while keeping the bees in focus. In both images, you can already see a small pollen sac around the bees’ legs. I am referring to the small orange circle near the middle of their legs. If you enlarge these photos, you’ll have a clearer view. It is very small now, but soon those pollen sacs, or baskets — called corbiculae — will be much larger as more flowers appear in the landscape. That is where female bees carry pollen.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Austin, Balcones District Park, Bee, Bluebonnets, FlowerHour, Honey Bee, Macros, Parks, Texas, Wildflowers, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour #24: Easter Lilies.
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Wandering Dawgs
Wow! The purple flowers and bee are stunning!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Beth. At this time of the year, Bluebonnets are everywhere in Texas.
mickmccann24175
excellent photos!…what a coincidence that I was drinking coffee from my Blue Bonnet Cafe mug from Marble Falls when I was looking at your pictures!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Mick. That is a coincidence indeed.
Pepper
Ah, Texas bluebonnets! You just made my day. Thanks, Egidio. 😁
Egidio Leitao
I was hoping you’d see this post. Glad you liked it, Pepper.
restlessjo
Wonderful to see them in close up, Egidio xx
Egidio Leitao
Glad you like the series. Thank you, Jo. xx
Mike K
Lovely photos. The bees and bluebonnets are a perfect spring combination.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Mike. It’s nice to see them working around those flowers.
Toonsarah
Fabulous macros as always Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Sarah.
Kirstin Troyer
Love this and love the busy bee
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Kirstin.
Sylvia Rappenecker
Loved your title! Bird’s eye view is cool!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Sylvia.
Steve Schwartzman
You chose a catchy title. I thought about the typical changes in sound as Latin developed into Portuguese, and I figured that Latin “corbicula” would have evolved to Portuguese “corbelha.” When I searched for that word, I found it does indeed exist: ‘pequena cesta de vime, madeira, ferro etc., guarnecida de flores, ou frutas e doces, que se oferece a alguém em ocasiões especiais, ou que se usa para adornar um ambiente.’
Egidio Leitao
I wonder what the younger generation uses these days instead of corbelha. It’s such an old fashioned word. My mother used it sometimes, but we never did.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Wow, the close-ups of the bee and bluebonnets are so sharp and colorful, Egidio! Stunning!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Terri.
Anne Sandler
Even though I’m allergic to bees, I’ve come to respect the work they do and enjoy photographing them–using a long lens! Great images Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne.
philosophy through photography
Egidio, that tiny moment of the bee at work is poetic. Really loved the detail and perspective here. 👍
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for this feedback and your kind words.
philosophy through photography
You are welcome, Egidio.