Two Carpenter Bees

September 21, 2017 ~ in Weekly Photo/s

The two beauties in the photo on top are adult large carpenter bees (Xylocopa sp.). The passion flower they are feeding on seemed to be a popular spot with them. A couple was flying in and out.

I mounted the MCEX-11 macro extension to be used with my 35mm lens, which meant I had to get relatively close to the two bees and the flower. With some insects, this can be a bit hairy, but these two seemed rather docile and more interested in the food than me encroaching a bit on their space.

The photo below shows one of them covered in pollen. Her friend is in the background digging into another section of the flower.