Carpenter Bee

[Tim Vidrine]

Not much was going on at Lake Martin when this guy showed up. Luckily, I had a couple of extension tubes to allow me a chance to get an image. It was one of the most frustratingly fun times I've had trying to manually focus on this guy. Dragonflies kept buzzing by him which would make him chase them off.

Would this have been a good time to use some flash? Critiques appreciated, thanks.

~70% crop
March 21, 2007 5:17 pm
Canon 20D
Canon 300mm f/4L IS with 50mm of extension tubes
1/2000s f/4 iso400
Av
Eval
No Flash

[Mike Moats]

Hey Tim, excellent capture. I think it came out fine without the flash. I like the BG as it give just a slight hint of the vegetation its flying through. In PS I would add a little more saturation in the yellow of the bee. I think the crop is good.

[Jim Caldwell]

Tim, I think it becomes a personal judgement as to whether or not to use flash, but flash may have frozen the wings and I like the blur that you captured in them. If anyone thinks that photographing flying birds is tough should attempt a flying insect! Nicely done!

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Jim that is one sick capture !!!! Must have been fun Glad you nailed it I like Mike's idea of enhancing the yellow Big Congrats !!!

[Tim Vidrine]

Thanks guys. I'll give the suggestions a try.

[Robert O'Toole]

Awesome tim, I love it!

I really like it the way it is!

Robert

[Fabs Forns]

Not an easy task, you got him good. Nice as presented, would like to see it withe suggested changes also :)