It was a little sweltery so sweat was indeed the case as well as this is a sweet little pollinator. I only managed two shots before it left the Boneset but that is all it took to get a nice portrait.
Brown-winged Striped-Sweat Bee-Agapostemon splendens. This is a male, the females have green abdomens.
Probably not a wall hanger but I am pretty happy with this image. 🙂
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Oh lovely, and not a bee I’m familiar with.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And sending you a cooling breeze – it’s about 7C here and feels like 1C !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. We are now cooling down a bit although the heat will rebound this weekend. But we can feel the Autumn chill coming.
LikeLike
There’s an endless supply of firsts in the insect world.
LikeLike
That is a beauty, Steve! Lovely detailed photo of this fabulous bee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the woods or even on the camera’s LCD I couldn’t really appreciate its beauty until on the computer display. Thanks, Pete.
LikeLike
The green eyes are one of its best features — lovely. Do you happen to know what those two spots atop his head might be?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bees have five “eyes”. Those you are asking about, there is a third not seen, are simple eyes (Ocelli) for sensing light. The two larger are compound eyes with thousands of lenses (Ommatidia). I’ve been trying to capture eyes more this year rather than just overall appearance although I do try as many angles as possible. I was impressed with these compound eyes just as with the recent deer fly image.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You should be pleased, it’s a great closeup. If they live on pollen and nectar, what is it about sweat that attracts them?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robert.
They also like human sweat and, although I’ve never experienced it, will sit on an arm and lap the salty stuff up much like Bentley does. I’ve read that they generally do not sting unless endangered and if they do it is the least painful among stinging insects.That said, I’d just as soon take their word for it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve got nice crisp details in both the bee and the flowers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I am getting the impression that I’ve neglected the 100 for too long.
LikeLike
Very nice image. The eyes are amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am trying to photograph more eyes and this is surely encouragement. Thanks, Bob.
LikeLike
Just beautiful details, Steve – love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ann-Christine. I was amazed when I saw the eye in the LCD screen.
LikeLike
I can understand that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The metallic sheen they’ve developed can certainly provide some great camouflage when they’re perched on a plant like this, although his candy-striped abdomen might well call undesirable attention to his presence. And, yes, oh! those eyes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The female is all green so better camouflaged. I am sure there is an evolutionary explanation for that. There is a reason portrait artists emphasize eyes, even bee portraitists.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, the details are fabulous! Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an awesome creature.
LikeLike
Fantastic detail – love the detail that you’ve captured!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ann. I am quite pleased with this one for sure. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, look at that eye! As others have said, beautiful details in this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The eye is certainly remarkable. The flash really brought out the colors all over but especially that feature. Thanks, Todd.
LikeLike
What a beauty. I wondered if his eye was reflecting the boneset. Thanks for the link: no, it wasn’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The flash certainly enhanced the color but it is pretty accurate. Glad you liked it, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And happy you should be, Steve. The crispness and details are very impressive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tanja. I am enjoying using the flash/macro setup more than I expected and this is one of my favorites so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you are having fun with your new gadgets, Steve, and I hope many more favorites will follow for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Double thanks!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a lot of “fuzzy” going on here… I love it!
LikeLike
Thanks, Lori! Fuzzy and colorful too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
All you insect photos lately have been excellent, Steve.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lynn. I am really enjoying the freedom the twin flash allows. I have some diffusers coming today that might help with the hot spots.
LikeLiked by 1 person