Despite the drop in temperatures over the last couple of days, the hardy carder bees have still been out and about, seemingly tougher than the honey bees who have almost disappeared. Believe it or not, this geranium is called ‘Jolly Bee’!
They are still happily visiting carder bee heaven. I can now be more specific than my earlier identification of it as a member of the mint family; it is Agastache ‘Blackadder’.
This one isn’t flying, but I liked the light so included it anyway.
There were a few bumble bees about this morning. This is the first time I have seen them feeding on the solanum jasminoides flowers. Perhaps they are less fussy at this time of year when other flowers are fading. Look at that pollen sac! Amazing that it can fly at all.
Focused Moments
A professional photographer's life
Focused Moments 
Fantastic captures! Where do the bees go, over winter? 🙂
Good question! Honey bees hang out in their hive, gathered around the queen in a cluster. They vibrate to keep warm and they live on their stores of honey. With bumble bees, the queen hibernates until the spring and all the others die.
What extraordinary creatures they are. Thank you for that Rachael – it’s wonderful the things we don’t know that are so simply answered on our blogs 🙂
Fabulously done, and incredible bokeh.
Thank you very much!
wonderful photos..
Thank you. 🙂
You’ve caught the carder bees beautifully!
Thank you 🙂
I love that you’re sharing your bee expertise with us! Thank you!
My pleasure. I love these little critters!
It appears your new camera is working out well for you. I find the color of that geranium just gorgeous.
Thanks, Sid. I have several new geraniums in my garden this year but Jolly Bee is easily my favourite. Hardy geraniums are such good value plants.
Beautiful shot!
Thank you!
That 2nd one is marvellous !
Thanks, Helen. Yes, I was pleased with that one. Getting them in flight facing front is especially tricky as they are flying out of your focus point rather than along it, if that makes sense!
It does indeed make sense Rachael which is why I think it is particularly good..
Excellent. Please tell us what camera, what lenses and what setting you use.
Thanks. See my earlier post: https://focusedmoments.net/2012/04/25/in-flight-entertainment/ where I reveal all my secrets! I would only add that recently I have started to use slightly higher shutter speeds and ISOs, reducing noise in post-processing. This works well providing the shot is not underexposed. Dial in some exposure compensation to be safe.
thank-you!
Love that second shot – looks like he’s looking right at you!
Beautiful colours in all the photos, contrasting the bees perfectly.
Thanks, Jaina. I wonder what it was thinking. “Not her again!” 😉