Bee

Critiques [Translate]

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• TAZ (10922)
• [2006-07-06 1:19]

This macro is pleasant to see in my opinion. Sharpness is spot on. Composition, colors and DOF are good. The bee seems to be on orange flames...
Cobgratulations Adam and TFS.

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• dew77 (13069)
• [2006-07-06 4:01]

Hello Adam,
I'm not an expert but i can say it's not a bee;a wasp (Eristalis) that mimic bees:)Your capture is excellent.Details are crisp clear and razorsharp.Vivid colors,BG,use of light and composition are wonderful.
TFS...:-)

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• pvs (11925)
• [2006-07-06 4:48]

Hi Adam,

Well captured macro,I think its a kind of hoverfly,they are quite lookalike,well done and TFS,

Paul

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• scottevers7 (12259)
• [2006-07-06 7:40]

Hi Adam,
Sorry I can't help with the ID, but I really like the shot. Very beautiful vivid colors of the OOF flowers. Nice sharp detail on the bee from the overhead POV. Looks great1
Scott

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• Dando (3080)
• [2006-07-06 18:55]

Hi Adam,
Excellent macro. Great lighting, outstanding colours and details. Also good shallow DOF and Very well composed. Well done and TFS.
Dean.

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• manyee (20016)
• [2006-07-06 20:55]

Hi Adam,
I see you are having a lot of fun with macro photography nowadays.
This is a great scomposition, with beautiful colors. The exposure and focus on the wings are excellent. It is amazing how macro shows you beauty where you least expect it. Great work and TFS. : )

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• loot (9407)
• [2006-07-06 23:34]
• [2]

Hi Adam
I have to support Sebnem (dew77) about this not being a bee, but then Paul (pvs) might be closer to the answer by thinking it might be a hoverfly. I'm no specialist at this, but through a process of elimination I will try and narrow your search somewhat.
1. Bumble bees have much more hair than honey bees - so this is not a bumble bee.
2. Honey bees have branched hairs (not simple) on their bodies and they have pollen pockets or pollen holding hairs on their hind legs - so this is not a honey bee.
3. Wasps are generally much more shiny, has much less hair than bees, and their first abdominal section are rather narrow to form a longer or shorter waist - although few wasps might look closely related to bees I doubt that this is a wasp.
4. Bees & wasps have stings (as we all know), but hoverflies do not have stings and this specimen on your photo clearly has a very rounded back side - so again the evidence is against it being a bee or a wasp.
5. Bees normally have their eyes set far apart and positioned on the sides of their heads while hoverflies have large eyes joined on top of their heads - overwhelming evidence to support the hoverfly claim for you specimen.
Ha-ha-ha, so now it is your job to go and find out what type of hoverfly. Good luck because now it gets even more confusing or interesting, depending on your point of view. This is as close as I can go with my limited knowledge on the subject. As my books only show me the species found in and around South Africa they are of no real help and it seems like the internet is the only other place where one can find more extensive research material. I am sure the real specialist will be able to point out many other differences to guide you even closer so hopefully some of those ‘clever guys with the thick glasses, thin arms, and little hair’ will still come around and assist you.
Back to your photo, which is a good composition with striking colours, superb details, and excellent OOF BG enhancing the insect. The exposure, although relatively close to being fine, might just be a little on the dark side as some of the details are hidden due to a slight lack of luminance on the subject.
Anyway, it is a great photo and TFS.
Regards
Loot

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• saguzar (6914)
• [2006-08-01 17:47]

Hi Adam,
i´m agree with Loot and Paul is a hoverfly, I´ ve had the same interrogant, when photographed one that I publish in the future,was with a doubt and watch a new book about the evolution of insects, and see the main differences:
1-As says Loot, are difference between eyes.
2- winged insects have 4 wings, but dipters only two.
3- The antenaee are differents, flies have rounded ones and bees have medium slim antennae.
I hope this could be useful to you.
best regards
Hernán