Tag Archives: bumblebee

Photo of the Week – August 4, 2016

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This Wednesday, I arrived at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center southwest of Lincoln, Nebraska just as a heavy morning fog was beginning to dissipate.  I had about 10 minutes before a meeting, so I grabbed my camera, threw on some rain pants and waded into the wet grass.  Lanceleaf blazing star (Liatris lancifolia) was blooming in large patches in the restored prairie near the parking lot, so I wandered over to take a look.  A wet bumblebee was sitting on one of the flowering stems, waiting for the sun to dry it off.  Using a wide angle lens, I took several photographs of the bee and surrounding flowers, trying out some different angles and compositions.

Here’s the problem: I can’t decide which composition I like best.  So, as I’ve done many times before, I’m presenting them to you.  To be honest, this crowd sourcing method hasn’t been particularly helpful to me in the past, since there is rarely a strong majority among voters.  Being an eternal optimist, however, I’m going to keep trying. Plus, many of you seem to enjoy voting.

SO – tell me which of these you like best.  Please?  Thank you.

Bumblebee on blazing star. Photo #1.

Bumblebee on blazing star. Photo #1.

Bee and blazing star #2.

Bee and blazing star #2.

Bee on blazing star #3

Bee on blazing star #3

Bee on blazing star #4. (Vertical - just to complicate things)

Bee on blazing star #4. (Vertical – just to complicate things)

Field Day Reminder – TOMORROW, Rain or Shine! Also, A Bee Photo

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A reminder – we will have our Platte River Prairies Field Day tomorrow, August 27, from 9am to 3:30.  Details can be found here.

Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow, but it looks like the best chances for precipitation are before and after the Field Day.  Either way, we’ll be there and will have plenty of things to see, do, and discuss, so please plan to attend.  (However, in addition to your lunch, you might throw in a rain jacket and/or umbrella just in case.)

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here’s something completely unrelated:

As I was walking across my yard on the way home from work last night, I saw the following happening RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY SIDEWALK.

Two bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) trying to ensure the next generation of bumblebees.

Two bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) trying to ensure the next generation of bumblebees.

Three things.  First, this is a good way to see the sexual dimorphism of bumblebees.  (Don’t get excited – it just means that males and females are different sizes.)  Second, the stinger on the female looks like it’s in an awkward place.  Finally, the process of making new bumblebees apparently takes a while and the full attention of both parties.  I had time to go back to the truck, grab my camera gear, set up a couple flashes, and take quite a few photos.  After I got my photos, I put my gear away and walked by again and they were still going.

During the whole photography process, the bees completely ignored me, my gear, and the repeated firing of two flash units.  It seems like the bees would be pretty easy quarry for predators at times like this.  Maybe, instead of doing it in the middle of a sidewalk, it’d be a good idea to retreat to somewhere more sheltered?  (Get a room!)

Ok, everyone move along now.  Nothing more to see here.