Bees are back!

[Teddy Regpala]

I was testing my handholding skills in the backyard this afternoon. Unfortunately, it seems the birds are spooked by my playful toddler.
So before the sun sets, I looked for some target.

The lavanders are starting to bloom once again, and of course the bees noticed this too.

Dang! Even, DOF is so thin. I thought I've covered it well. Taken from about 6 ft.

Nikon D300, AF-S 300 f/4, TC 1.4x, F/7.1, 1/320s, ISO 200, flash used, handheld. Unprocessed, just cropped and resized.



Sorry telyds, I looked for butterflies but found none.
Next time I'll bring out my 105mm macro.

[Lydia Robledo]

Oh, you need the pollinators for the fruit orchards especially.
It's a nice capture of not only the bee but the lavander "cob" also.
I've never noticed those patterns of unopened flowers until now.
They look just like butterflies in their chrysallis awaiting to
emerge. In the absence of butterflies you discovered something
by accident. Really interesting. Thanks for sharing. telyds

[Martin Alvendia]

Wonderful Macro Ted! Excellent detail!

[Teddy Regpala]

Thanks telyds and Marts.

We noticed our fruiting trees are more productive when the lavanders started blooming.
Unfortunately, due to the bad storms last winter, our peach and persimmon trees needs heavy pruning due to broken branches. So we're not expecting a lot from them this summer/fall.
Though the pears are doing well.

Doing macro reveals details you usually won't see with the naked eye. That's the beauty of it. Going down and close bears fruit, so to speak. ;D

We have lots of weeds in the yard right now. Due to neglect by yours truly ... hey, it was too wet and/or cold last season. And, finding time out was (still is) hard.
The variety of weeds are very interesting. I hope I can capture the minute details properly.
I did try, but the results are not that good yet. Getting the hang of doing macros for a change.

Oh, I did see some butterflies this weekend. But it's too windy, and they won't keep still.

Also, next time I'll use the tripod for proper macro setup.

[Teddy Regpala]

A giant one, LOL.
The flowers are all starting to come out, just what the bees like.
And this time, I used the proper lens, but still no tripod.
I like the colors of the BG. Catchlights are from two sourcesm sun and flash.

Nikon D300, AF-S 105 VR, TC 1.4x, 150mm, F/8, 1/800s, ISO 200, SB-800 strobe with Lumiquest diffuser, handheld. Slightly processed in NX2, cropped and resized.

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow!! Giant Apis mellifera really love them bees, not only for the honey but for the bee sting as well for arthritis!! ;D