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Mining bees


Mining bees
Photo Information
Copyright: Stephen Emerson (Signal-Womb) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1225 W: 64 N: 2933] (10933)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT 350D, Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-10 7:30
Viewed: 692
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I shot this series of images this time last year of a strange bee which I presumed was nesting into a large mound of soil at the back of my garden. A little research on the internet suggested this was a mining bee. I was not overly happy with image quality so I never posted it. Anyhow this is TN so the subject and note may be of interest.

Unlike honeybees, mining bees are solitary and do not form large, socially organized nests. As their name suggests, mining bees dig single nests in the soil. In spring, adult bees emerge, mate and begin nest preparation. Bees select exposed, well-drained soils to nest in such as banks, hills and road cut-outs. Although the bees are solitary nesters, they often construct nests in large numbers next to one another at a given nesting site.

Each female mines out a cylindrical hole to raise offspring. The nest consists of a vertical tunnel and side cells along side the tunnel for hatching eggs. Females forage flowers in spring to buildup food reserve to raise the young. Once a cell has adequate food reserves, the female deposits an egg. The hatching larva feeds on the food reserves throughout the summer. Foraging activity generally lessens during the summer months and the bees become less noticeable. Mature larvae pupate and transform in adults during the late summer. Adults spend the winter inside the burrow and will emerge the following spring to start the whole cycle over.
cedryk, sily, clnaef, SelenE, batu, vanderschelden, Matt-Bird, GLEM has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • sily Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 252 W: 6 N: 391] (1859)
  • [2007-04-10 7:43]

HI Stephen!
I don't see the lack of quality in these photos, certainly very interesting series and nicely aranged!TFS!

Hello Stephen,
Very nice set of pcitures showing nesting behaviour of this bee. They well composed and exposed. Also the note is of very high quality.
Best greetings and TFS!
Michal

Bonjour,
Magnifique scène de la nature. Bravo.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2339 W: 59 N: 3778] (12122)
  • [2007-04-10 7:56]

Hi Stephen,
It's a very nice collage showing us the behaviour of the mining bee.Thanks for the informative notes and thanks for posting.
Selen

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1007 W: 285 N: 3322] (10976)
  • [2007-04-10 9:06]

Hello Stephen,
a superb sequence of pictures. Well seen and presented - just right for TN.
Best wishes, Peter

Hi Stephen,
'Movie' with interesting content.
TFS
Annick

Hi Stephen,
Well put together series of photo. Definately an interesting bee. I like your informative notes too.
regards
Matt.

Hello Stephen,
A well-presented series of the Mining Bee emerging from its underground nest. The images have a very significant documentary value.
I shot this bee in Mumbai last summer hovering aggressively over lantana flowers and elbowing the butterflies literally out of its way. A comparatively bigger and hairier version of an ordinary honey bee.
Thanks for looking at my recent picture.
Best regards,
Ram

Hi Stephen,
very impressive, I never saw such a moment.
You made a perfect collage, thanks, I like it very much
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1032 W: 26 N: 2994] (10800)
  • [2007-04-10 13:59]

Hi Stephen,

a great study in an intersting subject. The series show the emergence of this strange little bee really well, and the detaisl are great.

Thanks,

Paul

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 524 W: 87 N: 693] (5739)
  • [2007-04-10 17:55]

hi Stephen,
très belle idée que d'avoir fait cette série, on en apprend beaucoup sur cette insect. Bonne qualité globale.

tfs

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
  • [2007-04-24 15:09]

Hi Stephen

You are a bit harsh on yourself I think these are great. It is a lovely study of an interesting insect. Image quality is fine and great POVs. Excellent presentation

TFS

Karan

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