To Bee or not To Bee? Is that the Question?

I am a perfectionist, there I've said it and anyone who knows me reasonable well, will attest to the truth of that statement. Now with that out of the way I will continue with the story.

I am on a quest to get the perfect photo, well not just any perfect photo, although I do want all my photos to be perfect. However also being a realistic person I know that doesn't happen that often. Back to the subject at hand. The perfect photo I want is of a bee. I am determined to get a really good photo of a honey bee.

This started the other day when I was taking some flower photos and decided to check on the raspberry bushes to see how they were doing. The bushes are in bloom and with the blooms come the honey bees to busily gather the pollen. OK easy enough, take a photo, or two, or thirty, and see if I can get one of a bee. Took the photos, downloaded to the computer, viewed the results. Very good, I caught a few bees in the process of gathering pollen. But these shots are mundane at best, I can do better. Next day tried again, and this time the results were a little better. You can see the results below and on my photo blog.

I am still not satisfied with the resulting photos however because I know I can do better. Some how, some way, I am going to get the perfect photo of a honey bee.

You've seen some of my photos of squirrels, ducks, cats, etc. Not the best creatures in the world when it comes to striking a pose but not bad either. Some of the park squirrels seem to make a living posing for photos in exchange for mere peanuts, little hams that they are. My cat, at the offer of her favorite treat, might favor me with a quick cute look for the camera. But bees? There is a reason they say, "busy as a bee". These little guys buzz, land and grab pollen, buzz and buzz, gone. And no matter which side of the bushes I go to all the bees seem to move to the other side.

About half of my photos look like this. I had an almost perfect shot but before I could trigger the shutter the bee was distracted by another flower and zoom. . . . he was gone!

Or sometimes I almost, strong emphasis on almost, got a great photo!. The bee was on the move before I could complete the shot.


How do you get a bee to pose for a photo? Offer him a treat? The raspberry bushes are filled with the treat he wants right now, pollen. There is pollen everywhere, but somehow dusting the camera lens with pollen just doesn't seem right.

Talk to him, try to coax him into a pose? Over here little bee, that's it, a little more to the left! Now look at the camera and say "honey". This is not working but I can hear the neighbors whispering to each other, something about the "crazy neighbor lady". Note to self, don't talk to the bees when the neighbors are home.

Maybe I could just set up the tripod in front of one cluster of blooms and wait. Of course the cluster I select will probably be the one that "tastes funny" to a bee.

OK, I just have to face facts, this is strictly trial and error. Just start taking photos and hope for the best.

Nope, these still aren't quite right, still trying!