Too cold today for the bees. Odd April. And could use some more precip, of course. Here’s one from the 3rd…heading toward the hyacinths. Adding a second at 100pct again. Just for fun. Again, that huge pollen basket. Something so satisfying about seeing them laden. Guess maybe because they’ve done work. But also, it’s such a funny clump of stuff. Sticky for sure. Just a glob on the leg. Plus there’s something interesting about flying around with it. They’re not the most aerodynamic lookin’ critters anyway, but with those bulging saddle bags…
Tag: Hyacinth
Two Different – in Flight
Cloudy, cold, and a little rainy today. But not really much and/or enough. We’re so dry dry dry around here. Worrisome. Interesting thought, though: not even close to “outside normal range”. That’s one of our (collective human) flat spots when we see the world. While we’re around longer than mayflies, we’re not around nearly as long as, say, rocks. So when one of us says, “this is the driest summer I can remember”, mother nature just laughs. That said, “normal range” is a pretty important concept when it comes to discernment.
Here are a couple of neat bees. Poor bulbs seem to be suffering from lack of “spring showers” already.
On Focus
I occasionally mention how shallow the plane of focus is when I’m shooting bees. And the closer the lens is to the target, the narrower that plane becomes. Consider the first picture: I was really close to this one…the bee nearly filled the screen. And I missed the bee with the focus and caught the tip of a hyacinth blossom. And the bee is…a blur.
I was a little farther out with the lens in the second picture and managed to get the pollen basket in focus. But most of the rest of the bee is not tack sharp.
So…in addition to a great look at a bee (in the second picture, at least), I guess you get some perspective (again) in this post.
Today is About Toes
I think I’m supposed to call them “tarsal claws”, but they’re going to be toes to me for now. Three at the end of each leg, which (obviously) makes for eighteen total. Never thought about that until now. Anyway, zoom in on all of her right-side toes. All in focus and you can see them at work on the petal of the hyacinth.
I’ve not really ever seen any evidence of holes on a petal (has to be really, really small – maybe someday I’ll grab a petal and magnify it until I can see the toe-holes), but…I have seen bees’ toes tear a petal that can’t support the weight of the bee. It kind of tickles me when a bee falls off a flower. Maybe it shouldn’t. They get right back to it, of course. Maybe that needs to be filed under the heading, “misery loves company”. But just knowing that these critters that I admire so much fall to earth from time to time, bounce back up, and continue on their way might be a little inspiring. And if not that, it might be that we all crash now and then. And we pop back up and fly right after we do.
Hard to Tell…
…but this one is in a hyacinth. I like this shot lots. Even though the light was pretty harsh, it works with this one pretty well. And the bee is great looking. Long extension on the back leg. I’m often surprised when I see some of the shapes I catch.
Siderant: I’m really tired of hearing that “it’s all a matter of perspective” as a dodge to ignore reality. Everything really is what it is. And is not what it’s not – irrespective of what we choose to name it (as well as having a pretty sharp razor, Mr. Occam had a lot to say on “nominalism”). Rejecting that argument, specifically that by appealing to “perspective”, stuff can be something that it’s not, somehow seems to obviate the notion that perspective really is important.
Ansel Adams (look him up if you don’t know him – it’s worth the time) is quoted as saying, “A good photograph is knowing where to stand“. Getting the right perspective on the subject. Or at least a perspective that appeals to the eye…and beyond. Not to label this shot as Adamsesque, but the perspective on this one is nice. I could have shot a broader gardenscape and we’d have missed seeing the bee. I could have been behind the leaf to the left with the same outcome (i.e. sans bee).
The reality is, in that particular few seconds, that there was a bee on this hyacinth. And, further, where I chose to stand – or, rather, crouch – gave us a good look at some of her detail. Perspective really, really matters. That said, even if I call that insect a fly, it’s still a bee.
I’m usually a little reluctant to draw conclusions in the few rants I toss out here. But I’ll spell this one out: 1) It’s a bee. 2) I had to put myself in the right spot (including close enough to her) to identify whatever it is as a bee. 3) Even though I might wish it were something else (a spider or a Lindor chocolate truffle), it’s still a bee. 4) After all that, it’s on me to take the data from the needed perspective and behave accordingly. In other words, I did not call (or name/nom) it a chocolate truffle and pick it up and pop it in my mouth.
Sometimes the consequences of nominalism are immediately apparent. Sometimes it takes a while. But there’s no good value in the proposition, beginning, middle, or end.
Maybe it all really is a matter of perspective. But to be dishonest about what we observe – or, worse, willfully deny what we observe – can have no good outcomes ultimately.
Finally Something Different…
And by different. I mean on a hyacinth. The light was wrong for shooting on this one, but here’s one that’s both in focus and lit okay. Kind of sad to have the crocuses fading now, but other things are starting up. And the hyacinth is one of those. Not the most bee-shooter friendly plant in that they need to burrow into the blossoms in order to collect the pollen. And that doesn’t make for great shots…unless you’re into beebutts. Don’t ask, don’t tell, I guess??? Enjoy!
A Bit Late – in the Hyacinths
Here’s a pretty girl buzzing about in the hyacinths. Think this might be only my second shot on those. As pretty as they are, either the bees aren’t that fond of them or my timing has been abysmal.
Speaking of that, got out today about 3pm and couldn’t find bees. Strange. There were a few on an ornamental cherry in the backyard, but I’m not confident that I got even one reasonable shot. Wondering if there are fruit trees blooming elsewhere drawing the bees. Warm enough. Anyway, hyacinth from yesterday. She’s cute!
