bee pollinating flower

TZ-OH6 · July 24, 2008

This is the major pollinator of my tomatoes this year, a little halictid bee. I can tell by the chewed look which flowers have been visited. He's a cute little iridescent olive green guy. He vibrates his body while in the position you see and then combs the pollen off himself into the pollen holding structures on his hind legs. I got very lucky with the shot. Action macrophotography with an autofocus point and shoot digital camera can be a bit frustrating.

Sherry_AK · July 24, 2008

Great picture! Thanks for posting it.

Sherry

ddsack · July 31, 2008

Very nice shot! I admire your patience. I love closeups.

I've recently noticed the big bumble bees visiting some of my raised tomato beds. Guess I won't be saving any seed from that part of the garden. I wish they would spend more time in the zucchini bed, since all my little zuch fruits are rotting away as infants.

July 24, 2008	#2
Sherry_AK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alaska Zone 3/4 Posts: 1,857	Great picture! Thanks for posting it. Sherry

July 31, 2008	#3
ddsack Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3 Posts: 3,231	Very nice shot! I admire your patience. I love closeups. I've recently noticed the big bumble bees visiting some of my raised tomato beds. Guess I won't be saving any seed from that part of the garden. I wish they would spend more time in the zucchini bed, since all my little zuch fruits are rotting away as infants.