Bumble Bee

[Keith Kennedy]

Photographed recently on a purple cone flower in a backyard garden. Processed in Lightroom and CS3. Ca. 40% crop i.e. 60% of original image.

Canon EOS 40D; Canon 180mm f3.5 macro + Canon extention tube EF 25; Av mode, evaluative metering; exposure comp.+1/3; ISO 800; f11; 1/125s; Canon T24 twin flash at -1 2/3; Gitzo tripod

[Bill McCrystyn]

Really like this one Kieth. The orange spikes lead right to the subject and contrasts well. Your dof is about as good as it could be. I'm impressed you weren't tempted to over saturate or sharpen. Some may say you could crop from the left to move him slightly off center but I think it works well this way, allowing the curve/arc of the flower to match that of the bee. If you wanted to get super picky you could get rid of the pink in the BG behind his head. Nice shot.

[Alfred Forns]

About time Keith :)

One fine image !! Love the feel and rich saturation Agree on the pink behind the bug but a real minor point !!! Big Time Congrats !!!!

[Ed Vatza]

Beautiful looking bee. Beautiful flower. Beautiful background. I guess that adds up to a beautiful image, Keith. Very well done!

[Aristotle Georgiou]

Great image Keith, a beautiful looking bee, with plenty detail and great composition.

I have to say when I spent time in Canada in 2006-07 I captured a bumble bee coming and going from a small burrow, which was very interesting to see. Is this common behaviour?

I do have a reference shot taken with a point and shoot camera. http://australasiaforum.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=31&pos=0

[Mike Moats]

Hey Keith, great color combinations, an excellent flower for the base. I like the DOF.

[Keith Kennedy]

Aristotle, most bumble bees do nest in the ground, usually in deserted mouse burrows, etc. Many thanks to all for the excellent feedback.

Keith