As the days get shorter and colder in the fall, the window for shooting bees really shrinks. At the height of the summer, I can go out before the sun crests the mountains…or shoot well into the evening shadows. But in the later part of autumn, it’s midday (if that). So the light isn’t always great – as is the case in this pic. But…like the bees…we take what we can get. Lots like life, no?
Tag: Aster
Another Gorgeous Girl on Another Aster
This one is from October, 2020. Got about eight inches of snow here over the past couple of days and I’m really thinking lots about spring. The bees that are in the yard during the warmer months are now in California at work in the almond orchards. Looking forward to their return. Until then, enjoy shots from warmer days past. Like this one. And grab a 2020 calendar or two. They turned out really well!
In the Fall Asters
Very late this morning so few words. But a beautiful girl doing her stuff in the fall asters. Focus is interesting in this one.
A Rare Sight: Bumble in the Asters
I see lots of natives in the asters – especially the sweat bees. The honeybees make the asters pulse with life…but I so so so seldom get a bumble in them. Here’s one from yesterday. Got a few great shots of it working on the flowers, but I’m a sucker for in-flight shots. So that’s what you get today. So many asters, too. They change and hybridize and wander through the garden. Gorgeous! Oh, and there’s a bonus honeybee that’s almost in focus.
Losing the Mojo?
It’s been almost two weeks since I picked up a camera for bees. Got some wild horses and wild burros, but no bees. Traveling too much. So yesterday, when I picked up the camera for a few minutes, something seemed off – a little foreign, even. Wasn’t feeling it.
Didn’t last, however, and seemed nice to slip back into the familiar. I think I got some nice late summer/early shots. Those asters are going wild right now. Here’s one. I like it.
In the Shadows on the Asters
First shot of the garden asters this year. Twilight so there’s some strange light on it. Kind of have a love/hate with the asters. When they start to bloom, the clock is ticking on the summer. But they go and go and go and go. And the bees love them. And I’ve gotten some remarkable shots on them. Here’s the first of what will likely be many…
Silverthorne Natives
Last weekend I was at an art festival in Silverthorne, Colorado. On the first day of the festival, I nipped out behind some aspens about 20 yards from my booth to sate a nicotine craving – when I noticed some native bees on wildflowers. So…being who I am, I went and got a camera and shot for a bit. And came up with this one. That night, I printed a number of copies and then matted those prints.
The shot was well-received by those who attended the show. And it’s a really nice one. And one of the few on this site that’s not from our gardens here. Native Colorado bee on a tiny, dime-sized wild aster. Fun shot!
Metallic Green Sweat Bee Face
An an aster. Usually the backgrounds aren’t so severe…even sere-looking. Strange. Don’t remember what that is. House, maybe, but wrong color. Anyway…enjoy!
Posting early in advance of attending the Arts Festival in St. George, Utah. It’s on Friday and Saturday of this week. Really hope to see and meet some of you there! I’ve got a bunch of neat stuff including the bees that you’re familiar with as well as some wild mustangs, wildlife from a trip to Yellowstone, and a bunch of remarkable birds that I photographed this winter. Stop by if you can.
A September Aster
When I look at the number of bees I’ve shot over the years, seems like I’m heaviest in September. Almost like the bees then…loading up for winter. And both they and I are all over the asters. The difference is they’re right…and I seem to be trying to make up for not shooting as much in May, for example. Introspection can be rough.
Just Another on an Aster
Nice face, wing, eyes, ocelli (those three bumps on her head between her eyes are actually eyes – total of five), pollen basket, etc. But the thing that drew me to this pic, odd as it may be, was the chewed-up iris leaf there in the upper left. Mostly just because it’s so typical of a summer day in the garden. Those grasshoppers are voracious…and pretty indiscriminate. Good bee today. Again, click on the pic – it will embiggen (yeah, that’s in the dictionary now) itself. Pretty cool. Now to go back thru the site…
