Lunch time, no manipulation.

I should do this type of photography more often.

Don't eat anything bigger than your head!

Its a very interesting shot. It looks like the bee is holding the yellow part of the flower in its two front legs.

I had to play with it, hope you don't mind. I like the fact that the head of the bee and the round flower part are the same size. I tried a square crop and a bit extra sharpening. And as I type this I see another crop that just cuts off the white areas across the top right about the tip of the antennae to make the left side a quiet side and the right side the busy side. Those proportions are rather interesting. But I will attach the square one, only.

Its amazing how little of the bee ends up being in focus. Its a very exacting thing -- getting the focus just right.

First, the bee, for my photo is just a supporting element. My theme is shapes, lines and colors.

Let me point out a couple of things and you should catch on.

The Pistils match the bee's legs, the ends of the legs, the ends of the Pistils. As you've mentioned, the Stigma matches the bee's head with the split in the Stigma matching the split between the eyes. The colors go from light to dark but balance with the snout and eyes.

Hope this helps to explain my presentation.

Thank you for your thoughts! As you can see, your the only one that's mentioned the bee's head and the Stigma. Dave

Beautiful macro Dave. Love the colors, great composition.

Kind Regards Andrea