Bumble Bee in flight, 78th attempt.

When I can't find anything to shoot, I shoot the bumble bees flying around my garden. Not the most interesting insect, and I'm sick of seeing them. Still, I've been trying to get an in-flight shot of them since I started.

I've been finding it hard to get one because they don't hover, except for a split second after take off. And also the move fast, so its hard to keep them in focus. Finally there is the "reflex lag" from when I see it about to take off to when I press the shutter... and THEN there's there's the slight shutter lag of my camera.

Here's one that I shot today it's the best one so far. I think I have them figured out though, I've figured out when they are just about to take off. Hopefully I'll get some nice ones tomorrow.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

one method is to prefocus on a popular flower and shoot as they approach-tripod and cable release make this easier.
Anyway thats not a bad shot.

Thanks racketman.

I've been shooting freehand. I have a tripod but haven't used it for macro yet as I move around too much. My method is to find a bee on a flower, pre-focus on the bee and wait for take off.

I've thought about doing what you said thought, I will probably try it too.