Honey bee feeding on Red Hairy Heath pollen by eleanor

Honey bee feeding on Red Hairy Heath pollen

I had great fun watching honey bees this morning. I was taking pictures in Kirstenbosch (our local botanical gardens) while waiting for my son who was there on a school outing. The plants are mostly in their winter dormancy, so those that are flowering attract lots of pollen-collecting insects. The Red Hairy Heath (Erica cerinthoides) appeared to attract fewer bees than other, more fragrant plants. But they kept them busier. But what I saw for the first time was the bee flying into the flower tube and remaining there for at least five minutes before emerging, exploring the edge of the flower, and then flying off. I had many puzzled looks as people walked past and saw me crouching, camera focussed on the flower ... and doing nothing! But I knew that what went in would come out.
Great shot. Love the colour.
July 21st, 2010  
Wonderful. Well worth the wait, and well done you for not worrying about passers by.
July 21st, 2010  
You are a patient women! Nice shot. Wonderful colors and details. What we do for a picture.
July 21st, 2010  
Awesome shot! What a beautiful flower! Pay no attention to those people looking at you like you are strange LOL. Some of the best shots come from odd positions!
July 21st, 2010  
Great shot- you can even see the sticky stuff :-) What a day to have been at Kirstenbosch! - was registering 30 C in my car early!
July 21st, 2010  
Love Kirstebosch - one of our favourite places. What a setting.
I'm reading your copy and thinking, this is David and Taffy's daughter -
the inexhaustable enthusiasm and the insatiable need to know.
Really good shot. Must be delighted. Hxx We know each other everyone. Family connection.
July 21st, 2010  
That is a brilliant picture. Were you using a fancy sophisticated fish eye lens, or what?
July 21st, 2010  
@Bruce: Used an "ordinary" 55-250mm lens with my Canon 450D.
@Hilary: I'm getting to that age where being told you are like your parents is a serious compliment. Thank you xxx
July 21st, 2010  
love the detail, great hsot!!
July 22nd, 2010  
i love this, what vibrant colours!
July 22nd, 2010  
Stunning! i love the red!
July 23rd, 2010  
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