Bee Chases Bee
*
Photo taken at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Richmond, Virginia
*
While photographing the bees with my camera, I’ve observed how they attempt to knock each other off the flowers. I imagine it’s a survival technique – if the flower is good, why should they try a different one even though others are nearby without competiton?
The bees try to chase away each other, as well as wasps, butterflies, beetles, and anything else that might be collecting pollen. Sometimes they’re successful in getting the prize, other times they lose and have to find their own flower.
What’s interesting is that the butterflies aren’t easily dislodged. Often I hear a thunk as the bee bounces off a butterfly and careens off, usually acting a bit wobbly.
This was post processed using;
- Topaz Studio – AI Clear, Precision, and Contrast; Abstraction 2 provided simplification
- OnOne – Sunshine Radiance
- Textures – 2 Lil’ Owls Canteen and French Script Collection
- Border – Photomorphis Textural Borders
bees Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Nature Virginia 2 Lil' Owls bees coneflowers onOne Effects Photomorphis Textures Topaz Studio
dogear6 View All →
I am a backyard adventurer, philosopher and observer, recording my life in journals and photographs. Visit my blog at www.livingtheseasons.com.
Living The Seasons 
Love the image – beautiful flower – but with added interest with color and background. Nice texture.
(Who knew butterflies were the tough ones? Cool)
Thank you!
Lulu: “Our Dada says he’s not surprised the bees just bounce off the butterflies.”
Charlee: “Yes, he said something like ‘That’s what you get when you mess with Mothra.'”
Chaplin: “We have no idea what he’s talking about.”
Aw, you poor babies. It must be hard when Dada speaks in code. You need to discuss it with the group and see if someone has a code book to figure it out!
My two favorite subjects in the garden: Bee and flower.
This is so beautiful!
Thank you!
I love this. I love the play of it. And composition. And idea of play.
Thank you! The bees are pretty fierce with chasing each other off. By now though, you’d think they’d know to leave the butterflies alone. The butterflies aren’t going to get knocked off. The small wasps though are fair game.