Green Metallic Bee

[Jim B.]

This guy is tiny!1/8 inch head to tail end.

Focus is off a little on this one,but I like the angle.

Sigma 150macro f/13 ISO 400 1/320" handheld.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Jim,

I'm split, I prefer the first for the nice clean composition, but the second for a bigger ratio of bug to frame size.

Both excellent shots of course.

Could I ask what you used for the shots (lens + extension tubes), and a tripod presumably?

Well done,

[Jim B.]

Hi Dave,
I didn't use any tubes.Bare Sigma 150 Macro handheld.I tried some shots with a Canon 100 macro+1.4X TC,but I was getting too much camera shake.The second photo is slightly cropped.When I do use a tripod. I use a Bogen 302BN with 401 geared head.

Jim

[Keith]

The first one is nice and sharp with plenty of detail for such a tiny Bee.
Odd colour for a Bee, are they common Jim?

[Jim B.]

Hi Keith,
Yes, very common and they come in a variety of colours, from black to a honey bee type colour scheme.Metallic Bee is the wrong name.They are Sweat Bees.Named because they are attracted to the salt in sweat.
Jim

[Keith]

They could be a tad annoying then!

Keith

[GillR]

Lovely shots, that's an amazing bee!