Bees out and about

Images of undisturbed subjects in their natural environment. All subject types.

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davidholmes
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2016 1:30 am
Location: Bristol UK

Bees out and about

Post by davidholmes »

My bees are busy collecting nectar and pollen from the spring blossom. They are very quick and difficult to capture decent in-flight photos. These are the best I have been able to get so far :-)
I will keep trying but there does seem to be a lot of luck involved.

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Looks like a hoverfly getting in on the act as well.

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leonardturner
Posts: 713
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:40 am
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA

Post by leonardturner »

Impressive work for so difficult a subject! I wonder how the additional mass some are carrying on their rear legs affects their flight.

Leonard

davidholmes
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2016 1:30 am
Location: Bristol UK

Post by davidholmes »

There is an interesting paper on this at

http://jeb.biologists.org/content/206/11/1855.long

which suggests that although the load is usually 20-35% of body mass, and may be up to 85% of body mass, the effect on wing beat frequency, wing angle and body angle is minimal. There is an increase in metabolic rate which is greater in pollen foragers than in nectar foragers but the changes to actual flight dynamics are remarkably small. Reading the paper this investigation took some serious kit so I don't think I will be trying to replicate their study!

leonardturner
Posts: 713
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:40 am
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA

Post by leonardturner »

An interesting paper; thanks for the reference.

Leonard

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