Loaded! by TwoPynts

Photography • Macro • posted on Oct 13, 2006

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Description

"If the man who paints only the tree, or flower, or other surface he sees before him were an artist, the king of artists would be the photographer. It is for the artist to do something beyond this." ~ James McNeill Whistler

Here is a photo of a sweet bee I photographed up in the Connecticut hills earlier this year. I was struck by the contrast of the bee's green carapace against the magentas of this wildflower. Those pollen filled 'saddle bags' were another neat thing to see -- I'm not sure how she managed to fly back to the hive with such a heavy load. Have a great weekend everyone! ----- Agapostemon virescens - Metallic Green Bee Sweat bee is the common name for bees that are attracted to pollen and the salt in human perspiration. In its strict application, the name refers to members of the Halictidae, a large family of bees that are common in most of the world except Australia and Southeast Asia, where they are only a minor faunistic element. In the USA, the common species are black, brown, red, or metallic green, and sometimes with yellow markings, and usually 1/4 to 1/2 inch (4-10 mm) in size. Their attraction to sweat makes them a nuisance. Their sting hurts, but the pain only lasts around 10 minutes. Pest control is not recommended due to their beneficial nature in pollination. As with many common names, however, the term "sweat bee" is applied colloquially to different insects in different continents, despite its technical restriction to halictids. Thus, in Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, the name is more typically used by locals to refer to what are technically known as Stingless Bees, which are typically in the genus Trigona and its relatives (family Apidae), and also have the habit of taking up salt from human perspiration. The western honeybee, Apis mellifera also occasionally laps human perspiration. Identification Males: Hind femora slender, fully three times as long as the greatest width. Females: Abdomen black, with pale basal fasciae. ----- Thank you for tuning my last upload, Do You Get Good Reception With Those Things?.

----- Olympus C8080WZ & PhotoshopCS. (743) Sponsored by: Kramer Kreations

Comments (39)

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GiMi53

7:53AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Hi Kort ! It's always such a delight to open your pictures : true quote, great explanation, fantastic humor... and of course associated with an outstanding picture ! For sure you are one of the "personnage" of the Photo gallery ! :~)

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Loloe

8:37AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Stunning capture again! great POv and beautiful colors!!! Bravo!!!!

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oscilis

8:42AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Incredible image and always an interesting story to go with it.

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Digimon

8:47AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Interesting quote! I once heard of a German artist, who's ability to draw things with near photographic precision, spoke to his mentor about his frustration at not achieving what he believed to be "Perfection". The teacher fixed him with a gaze and asked "Why would you want to draw something that looks EXACTLY like a photo? You may as well take a photo!" "Art is seeing beyond the eye, beyond the camera!". When I was a kid, I hated Picasso's work, it looked amatuerish to me..."The guy can't even draw!". Then in art school, I saw early work of his...he knew how to draw all right! Beautifully!! But he chose to move away from "Realism", and explore art beyond the eye, the "Minds eye" if you will. I of course changed my opinion, and now recognize Picasso for the genius he was. Great macro!! And wonderful, thought provoking quote!! By the way...ACHOOOO!!!!!

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claudialee

8:58AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Lovely macro. This is an excellent capture of the bee, and thank you very much for sharing, as it is wonderful. HUGS!!

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killerpumpkins

9:17AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Very colorful. Beeutiful! KP

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Zacko

9:42AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

LOL. It looks like its wearing a backpack of some kind to store nectar in. I love how that green and yellow bug look against that purple flower. Awesome macro my friend. Have yourself a wonderful weekend. #:o)

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zulaan

9:54AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Wow ! Excellent ;)

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kutiepiee

9:55AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Excellent

MrsLubner

10:50AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Ya wonder how it gets off the ground packing that much pollen! Beautiful capture.

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inshaala

10:58AM | Fri, 13 October 2006

it took me a while to realise what i was looking at, i thought the yello was part of the flower's stamen or whatever its called :) Interesting shot and great colours!

Valerie-Ducom

12:06PM | Fri, 13 October 2006

oh yes, very nice color and contrast, i like this pov... good day

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marybelgium

12:12PM | Fri, 13 October 2006

amazing shot !

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mamabobbijo

12:59PM | Fri, 13 October 2006

An amazing capture! I would never!!! get close enough to see that so it was quite interesting. It also proves that seeing what others miss when looking in the same direction is more than an art form it is a higher calling! Thanks for sharing. BJ

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Valentin

1:00PM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Once again a piece of art... Outstanding makro work!

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DennisReed

1:23PM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Awesome Capture! Bravo!

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goodoleboy

2:30PM | Fri, 13 October 2006

Excellent macro and reportage, as usual. The carapace is beautiful. The sweet bee appears to be plunging down into a forest of magenta shafts. The pollen look like some kind of hovercraft engines for liftoff and descent.

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