These are the thoughts that go through my head when I'm at a park looking for bees to shoot.
"Why are our bees so tiny! Too tiny! So hard to shoot!"
"Tiny bees. All I see are tiny bees. I can't do this."
"Please keep still. Please, please, please... NO! Come back!"
"Where are the big bees!? Where are you!?"
"Ack, so tiny and so fast!"
"Do I really need a bee shot?"
"I'm never going to get a bee shot."
"Stay still, Mr Bee. No, no, no! Stop flying around!"
"I hate tiny bees."
"You're too tiny. Grow up!"
"Oooh. Wait. There's a big bee! At last, a big bee!"
*RUNS AWAY FROM BIG BEE*
So this tiny bee in my photo is hanging on to the stamen of a male winter melon flower. It's barely 1cm (0.3in) long. I'll call this one a lucky shot. Tomorrow, I'll upload a photo of the winter melon flowers so you can see what they look like. 8)
OMG...great close up and the story had me rolling on the floor laughing. I thought it was at the height of funny, but then it got funnier each step of the way. haha!
Great detail here - excellent macro! I laughed at your description because when I take shots of insects or animals, I talk to them in soothing tones in hopes they don't run/fly off, all the while hoping no humans are within earshot.
Your story has had me in stitches, I actually did laugh out loud! Beautiful shot Livia and excellent commentary - when I took my bee hive shots I was chased, so I ran too:0))
Beautiful capture and close-up, Livia. Maybe I should start talking to the bees. They always get away from me. This one has a "crystal" look to it... very beautiful. Kind of a bee with "bling!"
Your tiny bee looks very sweet, but I bet the sting is just as nasty as the big ones! Great shot! Go to Connecticut to see some monster huge bees. I was at my nephew's graduation one year ago and could not believe how big the bees were there...
Great shot. Your comments are so funny and so on the spot. I even found a bursting bumblebee to fast.. Wished for autofocus, but probably would have been to slow anyway.
The smaller bees held still longer for me. The bumble bees would not hold still for anything. Made me have a better understanding of the term "busy bee"! Awesome shot of this pollen carrying bee!
Livia this is just Unbelievably FANTASTIC!! and a FAV ! I have studied it and just cant believe the definition and focus you have ! I wish i had your talent for that steady hand and eye!
Love it Livia ! Great capture. So far I have not been able to get a sharp bee shot. They are just too fast for me. When I read your commentary it was as if I was thinking out loud :)
LOL are you in my head when im out shooting??!! that had me laughing out loud that hubby asked me what i was laughing at! beautiful shot of the tiny bee
Hilarious insight into your thoughts! I'd run from the big bee too, actually, I generally find myself flinching no matter their size when they come too close (or is it me who gets too close?!)! Looks like the wait was worth it though!
What kind of lens do you have? I have a 100mm macro and can't even come close to this so I'm guessing you have a much zoomier lens or extra fantastic skill that I cannot touch!
@mstipe I use the Sony 30mm f/3.5 macro lens. It's made for my Sony NEX-C3 which is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. It offers 1:1 magnification. It's not a zoom lens. Also, my macro lens at 30mm has a much shorter focal length than most other macro lenses which means, to take a shot of anything, I have to put the lens right up to my subject. My lens is usually within kissing distance of the insect or bug. I do scare most of them away before I can take a shot! *LOL*
A great, big, talky, pollen-saturated, sweet and really thankful "THANK YOU!" to everyone!
To get a bee shot was kind of a milestone for me. Mainly because it was so hard! But I guess being crazy and persistent paid off. I hope those of you who are trying to get bee shots don't give up. Keep shooting! Thank you all for taking the time to pop by and leave an encouraging comment. You have no idea how much I appreciate your support. I do, and I am grateful.
The flower is weird!
To get a bee shot was kind of a milestone for me. Mainly because it was so hard! But I guess being crazy and persistent paid off. I hope those of you who are trying to get bee shots don't give up. Keep shooting! Thank you all for taking the time to pop by and leave an encouraging comment. You have no idea how much I appreciate your support. I do, and I am grateful.
Again, thank you very much!
this turned out awesome! i LOOOVE that yellow background! great shot! I suck at bee photos!