POST YOUR BEE SHOTS (any non-butterfly all pollinators are welcome - wasps, etc.)

A new species for me. Giant resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis sculpturalis. They are in the same family as leaf cutter bees.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2iE4​Xmj

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2iDZ​LJm

Thank you everyone for the likes and comments, it’s very encouraging

Soldier beetle

Nikon Z6, Laowa 100mm 2x macro, handheld, no flash, 1/250, ISO 800, manual lens so no record of aperture, (clearly not small enough), or magnification unfortunately, no crop

A group of Sweat Bees set up camp in one of my Geranium flowers. They like to sleep under the leaves in groups, and the plant seems to offer them some good protection. I checked on them after a heavy thunderstorm and they seemed to be OK. They are called Sweat Bees because some of them are attracted to the minerals in your sweat. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in August of 2021.

Possibly Halictus sexcinctus.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mMb​5yQ

There wasn't enough wind so this Sweat Bee felt me grab onto the stem of the Sourgrass Flower that she was foraging in and climbed to the top of it to investigate. But when she did she was facing away from me. So I carefully turned the flower so that the critter was facing the camera. Gotta be gentle, cause I didn't want to spook the bee into taking off and I didn't want to damage the flower. I managed to get the shot and leave the Sourgrass unharmed.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mMk​nPz

this needs a move along

No idea what the insect is. I know it's not our declared pest European Wasp

Quite a striking little insect, about 12-15nmm long

avondale87 wrote in post #19324868
this needs a move along

No idea what the insect is. I know it's not our declared pest European Wasp

Quite a striking little insect, about 12-15nmm long

Hosted photo: posted by avondale87 in
./showthread.php?p=193​24868&i=i25601884
forum: Macro

Hosted photo: posted by avondale87 in
./showthread.php?p=193​24868&i=i156150762
forum: Macro

Looks like a Hoverfly to me Richard - nice shots.

They often hover much like a helicopter in one spot and dart around in a sort of zig zag flightpath.

Cheers

Dennis

nardes wrote in post #19324883
Looks like a Hoverfly to me Richard - nice shots.

They often hover much like a helicopter in one spot and dart around in a sort of zig zag flightpath.

Cheers

Dennis

Thanks Dennis
Sounds right from description. Much appreciated

avondale87 wrote in post #19324868
this needs a move along

No idea what the insect is. I know it's not our declared pest European Wasp

Quite a striking little insect, about 12-15nmm long

Hosted photo: posted by avondale87 in
./showthread.php?p=193​24868&i=i25601884
forum: Macro

Hosted photo: posted by avondale87 in
./showthread.php?p=193​24868&i=i156150762
forum: Macro

Yup, hoverflies. There are a LOT of different species of them and quite a few are mimics (look like wasps or bees).

Trivia: Flies have taste buds in the bottom of their feet. So if you see one hovering over a flower and slapping a petal with a foot it is tasting the flower before it lands...

Cool partly cloudy weather makes the best conditions for shooting small solitary bees. I found a male European Blue Mason Bee semi-active on a Dandelion.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mUX​UM9

Dalantech wrote in post #19325672
Yup, hoverflies. There are a LOT of different species of them and quite a few are mimics (look like wasps or bees).

Trivia: Flies have taste buds in the bottom of their feet. So if you see one hovering over a flower and slapping a petal with a foot it is tasting the flower before it lands...

Thanks John. Interesting.
I've started to take more notice of what's about in and on flowers now.
Previously they were just added extras.

Dalantech wrote in post #19325672
Yup, hoverflies. There are a LOT of different species of them and quite a few are mimics (look like wasps or bees).

Trivia: Flies have taste buds in the bottom of their feet. So if you see one hovering over a flower and slapping a petal with a foot it is tasting the flower before it lands...

nardes wrote in post #19324883
Looks like a Hoverfly to me Richard - nice shots.

They often hover much like a helicopter in one spot and dart around in a sort of zig zag flightpath.

Cheers

Dennis

Well you learn something.. as they say.
Looked it up and amazing reading.
They fly across Bass Straight Dennis! Whew!
Hoverfly migration helps record canola yield despite extreme season in Tasmania

And from our Government website
Couldn't cut and paste so took screenshot off our biosecurity page

Overcast skies and intermittent rain set up the perfect conditions to go looking for a lethargic critter to photograph. I found this semi-active Sweat Bee on a Buttercup flower and when it would stop moving I'd look for a good angle to take a shot.

Shot taken in Bacoli, Italy in May of 2019.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to around 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, 0 FEC. This is a single, cropped, frame taken hand held.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mVp​SBD

Back in March of 2020 I found a male Red Mason Bee resting on a Sourgrass flower. Image taken in Bacoli, Italy.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to around 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -1/3 FEC). This is a single, slightly cropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mVX​adb