dalantech

Here's a higher magnification view of how this solitary bee uses it's proboscis to anchor itself while it sleeps.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200 due to Highlight Tone Priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT ("A" flash head on a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.

Not the first time I've seen this species of solitary bee sleeping with it's proboscis anchored into a flower's stamen.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200 due to Highlight Tone Priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT ("A" flash head on a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.

The bad weather is really making it tough for the local pollinators. I was shooting this waterlogged Mason Bee when he started cleaning the water off of his fur.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200 due to Highlight Tone Priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT ("A" flash head on a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.

This newly hatched Red Mason Bee (male) is one of mine. The cocoons I harvested last year are starting to hatch. Due to the cool temps (13C) and overcast skies this little one was having a tough time getting his metabolism up. He would move around and then freeze, and I'd look for a photo.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200 due to Highlight Tone Priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (about 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT ("A" flash head on a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe), E-TTL metering, 0 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.

About a dozen Mason Bees hatched today, and I carried them to some flowers so they could get some energy. Due to the cool (14C) partly cloudy weather they had a hard time getting their metabolism going. This little guy would forage for a while then turn around to look outside the flower. His metabolism would tank and every time he stopped moving I'd look for a photo.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200 due to Highlight Tone Priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (about 2.5x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (both flash heads on the Canon flash mount to keep the flower from blocking the "A" flash head), E-TTL metering, (+1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.