Honey Bee

Honey Bees

It probably goes without saying that the honey bee is essential to the reproductive cycle of certain plants.  They go after the nectar from the plant and in so doing spread pollen from the male parts of the plant to the female parts.

Honey Bee

This is Canada Thistle.  The bee is providing the aforementioned service to this plant while it receives nector.

Honey Bee

Carol was concerned that I might get stung photographing these insects.  I have had no difficulty with that.  Once in a great while a bee will fly into my forehead but they have not stung me.  My usual lens for the above shot is a Sigma 70-300mm macro with a 1.4x teleconverter.  The working distance for an insect this size is its closest focusing point which is about 12 inches.  That is a comfortable distance for me and the insect.  I did try my Sigma 105mm macro on some shots recently and liked the perspective which is noticeably different.  It has a much closer working distance, meaning that I am in there with the bees flying around my head.  It worked okay with the bees.  I think that we were both less comfortable than when I use the 70 - 300mm lens.

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Prairie Dock

Prairie Dock

Prairie Dock is a hub of activity, currently.  There are still unopened buds but others are going into the later stages of their development.  I wanted to show some of what is happening.  The florets are starting fall off after doing their part in reproduction.

Honey Bee

The bees are still interested even though the florets are fewer in number.

Honey Bee

Honey Bees

Prairie Dock without Disc Florets

Here, only the Ray Florets remain.

Prairie Dock

This one has what I expect to be seeds forming in the disc.

Prairie Dock Bud

The plant exhibits quite a range of stages at this time.  It is most interesting to watch.

Soon, the Tall Sunflowers will begin to open.

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Mullusk Shell with Polyps

Mollusk Shell with Polyps

Carol brought me this shell from South Carolina when she visited in March.  I think that she picked it up on the beach.  I have worked at photographing it on and off since then. 

Mollusk Shell with Polyps

This is a recent shot of the inside of the shell.  It appears  that the shell was somehow perched so that polyps could grow on both sides while it was underwater.

Camera Setup for Mollusk Shell with Polyps

I had to add the third light to eliminate shadows on the convex side of the shell.  The side lights created the shadows and did not fill the shell sufficiently  

I wanted to film the shell rotating to complete the series.  I have obtained an old record player to rotate my subject at a steady 8 rpm.  The sound to this video is a thunderstorm and rain that passed over my house recently.  I may add it to my next album.

I have only one video light a CN-160.  I used it in the setup along with a reflector to throw light back into the shadows.

Video Camera Setup for Mollusk Shell with Polyps

I want to find a way to get the light and reflector closer to the subject for my next effort.  The reflector was too low, I think.   

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