To Catch a Carpenter Bee

To catch a carpenter bee...

The carpenter bees (Xylocopa tabaniformis) that nectar the sage, lavender, catmint and coral bells in our bee friendly garden move fast.

How fast? As fast as a buzz. They buzz into a blur and then back into a buzz.

Oh, but there are ways to capture their images. Consider not just the camera,  but the time of day, the habitat, and your presence.

Camera: A macro lens will enable you to get up close. Remove the lens hood so you can get even closer.  Like people, carpenter bees don't like being poked with sharp metal objects. Skip the tripod. It's too cumbersome to haul around on insect safaris. Use a flash to stop the action and provide a sharper depth of field.

Time of Day:  Shoot early in the morning when the sun hasn't quite warmed them. They don't fly as fast then. They are cold-blooded so their body reflects the temperature around them.

Habitat: Know what they like. In our yard, they gravitate toward the lavender, but they like to mix it up with sage, catmint and coral bells. The pomegranate, citrus, tomato and squash blossoms don't interest them as much as they do me.

Your Presence: There are several rules here. Watch where they go and station yourself there. Make them come to you. Assure them them that hey, you're just part of the scenery. (You don't have to wear a t-shirt that says "I'm Just Part of the Scenery.") Keep low, preferably at their level. Do not shadow them. If they buzz off, not to worry. Like Arnold, they'll be "b-a-a-c-k." 

Added Attractant:  Sometimes you can dab a little honey or sugar water on a blossom to ensure that they stay a little longer.  I'm saving this one for autumn, when the nectar subsides.

Oh, one more thing. If you have a entomologically inclined cat, make sure the feline is not around to disrupt their flight patterns.

But that would make an interesting photo, too.