There’s a place along the way, an opening onto a tidal creek, where people sometimes fish, and birds call loudly after a while.
I sometimes stop there to have a look at the water passing, and anything else that might be, small black crabs peeping from dark holes.
Today, as I came to the edge and looked down I saw a swarm of small bees flashing green in the afternoon sun, flying to the bank beneath my feet.
On closer inspection I could see they were each disappearing into a small hole in the clay, many diggings still visible, at and above the high tide mark.
I stood and looked for a while to see what was happening, and if there was any opportunity for a few shots of these fast moving new-to-me non-stop bees.
Camera at the ready to move in for a shot, I positioned myself and waited to see if any would land on my left hand as I held it outstretched in the sun.
After a while standing still one bee then another landed and did what bees often do, sat and rested, preened and blew ‘bubbles’, but not on my hand.
Instead they started landing on the stick I had set standing in the mud, the one I usually have with me and use for so much besides just a stick.
After a while in the hot sun, bothered now by clouds of tiny midges – you have to endure a little hell for a little gold, one presented.
And another … so I went to work, the easiest part of this particular shoot-out, and took what angles and focus were afforded.
These are some of the best … of this metallic green and yellow masked bee … so far.
Now, if only … but if can never be.
Time’s up … for now.
*
After a while a little luck, it landed on my stick, the easier for me to get a few shots.
This certainly qualifies as bee activity. Regurgitating liquid takes its full attention, so it doesn’t notice me.
Once it lands and has something to do, after a little time it becomes absorbed and exclusively focussed.
Preening is one of the natural creatures favourite activities. Here ‘wiping’ its feet down its abdomen to the rear – combing.
Caught a little sunshine on the eye, refracting to the colours of the rainbow. A little magical sunlight in the lens.
I sometimes stop there to have a look at the water passing, and anything else that might be, small black crabs peeping from dark holes.
Today, as I came to the edge and looked down I saw a swarm of small bees flashing green in the afternoon sun, flying to the bank beneath my feet.
On closer inspection I could see they were each disappearing into a small hole in the clay, many diggings still visible, at and above the high tide mark.
I stood and looked for a while to see what was happening, and if there was any opportunity for a few shots of these fast moving new-to-me non-stop bees.
Camera at the ready to move in for a shot, I positioned myself and waited to see if any would land on my left hand as I held it outstretched in the sun.
After a while standing still one bee then another landed and did what bees often do, sat and rested, preened and blew ‘bubbles’, but not on my hand.
Instead they started landing on the stick I had set standing in the mud, the one I usually have with me and use for so much besides just a stick.
After a while in the hot sun, bothered now by clouds of tiny midges – you have to endure a little hell for a little gold, one presented.
And another … so I went to work, the easiest part of this particular shoot-out, and took what angles and focus were afforded.
These are some of the best … of this metallic green and yellow masked bee … so far.
Now, if only … but if can never be.
Time’s up … for now.
*
After a while a little luck, it landed on my stick, the easier for me to get a few shots.
This certainly qualifies as bee activity. Regurgitating liquid takes its full attention, so it doesn’t notice me.
Once it lands and has something to do, after a little time it becomes absorbed and exclusively focussed.
Preening is one of the natural creatures favourite activities. Here ‘wiping’ its feet down its abdomen to the rear – combing.
Caught a little sunshine on the eye, refracting to the colours of the rainbow. A little magical sunlight in the lens.
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