A Welcome Sight - (enlarge plse)

When I purchased my first Digital Camera, I immediately went out

into my back garden to practice taking Images. At our last home we

had a very large flower garden, an oasis and 'wonderland' for me as I

became more and more passionate about taking pictures. I can

remember my excitement at my very first capture of a Honeybee.

They became a favorite for me to Photograph. Suddenly during the

summer of 2007 I realized that I had hardly seen a Honeybee in the

Garden. The very thought that the Bee Population was diminishing

was alarming. I have seen Magazine and Newspaper Articles on the

subject, but just this Winter I watched a PBS Program called "The

Silence Of The Bees". The film previewed on October 28th 2007 but

I had not heard of it then. This Program revealed that during the

Winter of 2006, millions of Honeybees vanished from their Hives,

leaving billions of dollars of crops at risk and potentially threatening

our food supply. They called it 'CCS' or 'Colony Collapse Syndrome'.

With Honeybees dying in record numbers, the ramifications of CCS

could be more catastrophic than Global Warming. I watched in

sadness and disbelief as I saw people who had family businesses,

years of propagating bees, thousands of dollars spent on equipment,

and the same invested in the production of Honey, people who were

actually 'heartbroken' at this discovery and facing financial ruin. If

you have not seen the Program, and do have the opportunity, give it

a 'watch'. Pesticides are one of the main problems but not the only

one. Who would have ever thought that the Population of Bees

would ever decrease? You would think the opposite would be true.

But without these very hard workers, it is true, our food supply is

threatened. How will the crops be pollinated? This year I have seen

increasing numbers of Honeybees. The Government has stepped in

to address the issue, but much more still needs to be done. While I

am careful not to be stung, I truly am glad to see their reappearance

in the garden - for reasons more important than my Photographic

enjoyment. (Your visits and comments are appreciated, many

thanks, Gail)

nothing to say, just a perfect macro! great job gail

Gail, wonderful presentation with incredible details & nice colors, lovely macro!      Best regards

Well seen color contrast and saturation. It some how remind me Kodak film print.

Hi Gail, Amazing and great capture! Beautiful colors and macro!! Warm regards, Tina

Your story is very interesting and alarming. I do recall reading about Australian hives being shipped to the US for pollenation purposes.... this was a few years back.... maybe this was part of the Governments program.

The attributes of Honey makes for interesting reading..... if you have the time.

Best regards

Splenid macro!! I love it.

Hugs

This really is a magnificent macro. What wonderful colours!

many thanks for your visit and encouraging words of critique. Glad you liked the capture.

Both of you have left very encouraging comments, please know that I apprecaite the time you took to visit.

Thankyou for your visit Grayham and also for your kind critique. I watched a PBS program on your country last evening. It was all about the over population of Camels!! I didn't even know there were Camels in Australia!! Great program, they are amazing creatures (all about how their bodies are built to adapt to the extreme heat). I have a greater appreciation for camels now.

Many thanks for stopping by and for your words of critique. I appreciate the encouragement very much.

Your support and encouragement is so very much appreicated Richard. With many thanks, Gail

A beautiful result with very nice lighting and colours, Gail!

Hi Gail, this is the best photo I have ever seen on this site of the beautiful honey bee. So sad that they are in decline because of our interference with nature. Lets hope you see many more in your garden soon. As to your comment about Camels, they were brought to Aus many years ago by traders but set free to become ferral when transport became motorised. It's always a surprise to see them in the wild! Kindest regards, Louise

This image is as sweet as the honey this bee will help to create.  Crisp detail matched with vivid color - a winning combination!

My best,

michael

Excellent macro and beautiful colours! 6

Hi Gail,

  Beautiful macro with wonderful colors & details.  Take care, Patsy

Sincere thanks Patsy for your visit and encouraging comments. Just saw your latest Sunflower, and it is a beauty! Be over for a visit shortly!

I cannot forget you, you were the first to comment!! Many thanks niki and sorry for the delay in responding. My sincere appreciaiton for your support, warmest regards, Gail

So nice to hear from you Louise. Many thanks for that lovely critique! (inspiration always welcomed). Back to the camel, I truly was amazed at what a great part they played in transporting people (et all) all over Australia. I was also surprised to see them Interview a young woman who 'breaks in' Wild Camels for Racing. I was so surprised to see just how fast they can run. I could go on forever about the program. They were having to 'cull' (not sure of the spelling) to keep the population down, yet it is something they hated doing. A few Scientists were along and they actually showed all the different 'insides' of the Camel, including the 'hump'. I thought I would be 'appalled' but it did not bother me all so much - I was more fascinated by how this animal is cleaverly 'constructed'. It seems we have been blessed on this Earth by many Species that have been a great help to mankind, only for us to misuse, mistreat and give little regard for their coninued survival. (not the camels in particular). Once again Louise, it was lovely to hear from you. Sincere thanks, Gail

Your kind remarks serve to encourage and inspire!!! Warmest regards, Gail

thankyou for your lovely critique, words of enthusiasum and encouragement, many thanks Michael! Warmest regards, Gail

Thankyou for your kind and encouraging reamarks Ruud, always glad to hear from you. Warmest regards, Gail

Great DOF obtained using F2.8! Pretty tough job indeed working with such shallow DOF specially with these moving creatures.But you came out well with this image.My only humble critique is to crop below & include some portion at top(just a thought in a very good image).

My best regards.

Kallol