Hairy-footed Flower Bee

[David Morison]

First one this year, note the white moustache, not found on a Bumble bee.





E-M1 plus Leica 14-150mm, Large crop.

Edit, another one using extension tubes and showing the hairy feet better:



David

[brian1208]

Re: Hairy-footed Flower Bee

Super shots of the male of one of my favourite bees David.

What makes it even better is the fact that you have caught it with its proboscis extended and separated ,showing in the first shot the extensible tube which it uses to suck up nectar - brilliant!

(I had a minor claim to fame with this species in 2004 when I was the first down here to record the Female of the species, at that time it was the furthest West it had been seen. Got my images plastered all over the Essex Field Club magazine and then taken up by a museum in the north of Italy who were tracking its movement from their region across Europe.)

Thanks again, I must see if there are any signs of my Black beauties in my front garden

That last one is a belter, I think I'm going to chuck my macro lens away!

(I've just checked and we have a solitary black female buzzing about in the front, South facing garden. She did her usual trick of spinning about in mid-air and challenging me, I love these feisty little things )

Edit, the more I look at your first shot the more envious I become, that is truly exceptional David

[timmypreston]

Re: Hairy-footed Flower Bee

An interesting looking bee!

That last shot is extremely good.

[banjukes]

Re: Hairy-footed Flower Bee

Three great shots David. I won't throw away the macro lens but I need a lot of practice to get anywhere near that quality.

[gregles]

Re: Hairy-footed Flower Bee

The last of these is a corker David