Very different look at the same (species of) bee as yesterday. Great face. And that mustache. Looks like a baleen, almost. One of my favorite bees. Don’t know if I like the flowers or not. They bloom early in the day and are often closed up by the time I get to shooting. And they get ratty-looking pretty quickly. But they smell good in the morning. And really broadcast the scent.
Tag: Leafcutter
Great Look at a Leafcutter on the Blanket Flower
Just another solid shot. Such a good look at that fuzzy little critter. And if you don’t know what I think of blanket flowers, you’ve not been paying attention. Such fun detail all around in this pic. Also – get some of these flowers for your gardens. I’ll bet you’ll love them, too.
Native Leafcutter on the Russian Sage
A couple of years ago, our neighbors replaced their grass parking strip with a water-wise garden. In addition to a number of other things, they planted four Russian Sages. The garden looks great and I love the sages because they so many attract bees and other pollinators. Don’t think I’ve ever shot this particular leafcutter before. It’s really a neat one.
Leafcutter and Wing Shadow
It tickles me – delights me – when I find pictures of the shadows of bees’ wings. Or a bee shadow on petals when the bee is in flight. When you write or draw with light (photo (light) graph (to draw or write)), literally, the shadows are such an important part of the whole. This isn’t a great example of shadows as part of the broader composition…but it’s neat for me to see. And the bee looks great. Those eyes!
Black and Grey Leafcutter on the Larkspur
This one had just landed. Got several nice shots in flight that will show up later. The light’s a little strange, but the bee looks fantastic. That coloration is something I rarely see. Still has the neat leafcutter eyes, though. The yellow in the background is a mess of blanket flowers. Because the larkspur is so tall and otherwise unsupported (single stalks), it’s often hard to get a clear shot. That wind and all. But this one worked out well…especially the wings.
Russian Sage with a Sleeping Leafcutter
More on the neighbors’ Russian Sage. I remember this morning. This little leafcutter was just immobile. Troubling because sometimes the bee has just given up the ghost (or been stung or otherwise damaged). This one, however, was just resting before the sun crested the mountain. And I got a number of good shots. So much easier when they’re holding still ;). Love the eye…and the colors on this little one. And, of course, the Russian Sage is just made for interesting bokeh.
Fantastic Profile on a Thistleball
I recall shooting this one. Think it was sleeping. They don’t usually hold still like this. And it turned out to be a fantastic shot. Just love the eyes on these leafcutters. And this is such a compelling flower. Just gorgeous. Wish it lasted longer. From July, again.
Quick Hit: Leafcutter on the Salvia
It’s just a few minutes before midnight and it’s been a long, long day. So here’s a quick one for now – shot in mid-July. It’s a native leafcutter on the salvia. Plenty cute with a great look at her eye.
Finally…a Leafcutter…on Lavender
First, I think I’ve got the lease settled for a physical storefront/gallery. That’s exciting. Won’t be all bees, of course, but they will have prominent space.
Second, I got a few today that weren’t on the ‘mums. Here’s a leafcutter (that infamous “abdomen-up” bee) on the second bloom of the lavender. Some shadows, but I really had wondered if I’d had my last good bee day. Was a good one today. Easy to excuse the shadows.
Third, I might have figured out why I’m not much of a fan of chrysanthemums. First, it might be that after Memorial Day in the cemeteries, those in those foil-wrapped plastic pots look nasty and trashy. I realize that they don’t get the water/care that they need, but they strike me as cheap and temporary…and ultimately depressing. Second, they seem to be the cheap (that word again), go-to flower when you’re panicked and in the grocery store. Something that ubiquitous and inexpensive can’t have much value, right? Wow, that was more than any of you asked. Next step: love ’em for what they are. I’ve sure gotten some great pics on them. And they do serve the bees well.
The Second of the Three-fer
A lefcutter this time. And an especially golden one, which again is rare in my experience. Love the eye on this one. The flower is looking a little ratty, but notice how it’s still showing and throwing pollen. Don’t deadhead these cone flowers until the bees start to ignore them. They’re kind of strange in that they keep opening up and sharing pollen long after the petals get nasty.
