20130410

First honeybees of spring

I generally enjoy the colder months, but this winter has seemed interminable and it is good finally to see the first signs of a spring that is unlikely to be a false dawn. One of the highlights in the garden is the arrival of the first bees. This afternoon I saw my first large Bumblebee of this year, although it didn't land to attempt to retrieve some nectar from barely open flowers. There were, however, a few Honeybees around and I managed these two shots which do, I think, have a real warmth about them.

Canon 350D, Canon 100mm prime macro lens, 1/250th sec, f/3.5, 100mm at ISO 500
Canon 350D, Canon 100mm prime macro lens, 1/320th sec, f/5.6, 100mm at ISO 500




5 comments:

  1. It is so very good to know that some Honey Bees have survived, I was quite fearful that the winter had gone on too long for them to start collecting again. There is precious little for them to be feeding on around here.

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  2. Hi Tim, I love that second shot and I was wondering what flowers these were? I can't figure it out!

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    1. Hi Jenny. The bush is a Mahonia. It's always the first to flower in the garden and its sweet, honey-flavoured scent never fails to attract the first bees. Hope that helps – Tim

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  3. I should have known that as I used to work in a garden centre many moons ago. Not seeing the leaves gulled me though! (-:

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  4. Hi Jenny. I only know this because a gardener friend told me what it was when I had no idea. I'm terrible with horticultural names – Tim

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