Blue-banded bees and a Lynx spider

[StephenM]

Hi all,

Here are a few more macro shots taken yesterday morning and earlier today. I was mainly chasing the blue banded bees, but these guys are difficult because they never sit still! I'll keep chasing them over the summer in the hope of getting a better shot. The last shot is a lynx spider that was on a nearby bush.

Thanks for looking.

Cheers,
Stephen

[dpastern]

Oh well done on the Blue Banded Bees Stephen - cracking efforts!!! These are very very very very hard to get shots of and you've done a sterling effort. My hats off to you!

The Lynx is good as well, but slightly soft on the eyes.

Dave

[Jeffkop]

Well Stephen I agree with Dave on the degree of difficulty factor because if it weren't for these photos I'de have said its impossible because I didn't know that these existed ... Never seen one in my life .. and I grew up in Brisbane !!! Great pictures and of the usual standard as well.

[TrevorW]

Great effort Steve

[lacad01]

Great work!! That 2nd shot is outstanding! :thumbsup:

[bloodhound31]

Pretty good getting them on the wing like that. I love the spider!

Baz.

[Dennis]

Lovely shots Stephen – I’m very impressed with how you’re handling that Pentax 50mm macro lens!

Cheers

Dennis

[troypiggo]

Great set, Stephen. You've done very well on all of them.

[StephenM]

Thanks very much everyone! Glad you like them. It is a challenge trying to capture the blue-banded bees (I took nearly 100 shots to get these 2!), but I think they are very photogenic little things, so it's worth the effort!

Cheers,
Stephen

[astro_south]

Great work Stephen. I look forward to following your chase over the summer. I have three that circuit around the front garden - got to know them after chasing them for a few weekends :). I still haven't managed to nail a shot this summer of a BBB - so I will be somewhat joining you on the quest.

[rogerg]

Spectacular shots, especially of the bees, no doubt about it :thumbsup:

[StephenM]

Thanks Andrew and Roger!

Cheers,
Stephen

[Ric]

Very nice Stephen, the colours are really quite stunning on the bees.

Cheers

[StephenM]

Thanks Ric.


Yes, they are very colourful little things- one of my favourite insects I think.

Cheers,
Stephen

[Ric]

My project for this year is to try and catch a Dragonfly in midflight around the dam.

Cheers

[dpastern]

That's a very difficult subject to shoot. I wish you good luck! Try a 300mm f4 etc with some fill flash.

Dave