Bee Pollen Collector — Solitary Mining Bee
94.93 $
A solitary mining bee (Andrena fulva) photographed in close-up with pollen loads exceeding the bee’s own body weight — each pollen grain individually visible on the scopal hairs.
Description
Solitary bees in the Andrena genus carry pollen to their underground nest chambers using dense scopal hairs on their hind legs and under their abdomens — a collection system so efficient that returning foragers carry pollen loads approaching their own body weight. This photograph, made with a 100mm macro lens and ringflash at 2:1 reproduction, captures a tawny mining bee returning to her nest entrance with exceptional pollen loads — the orange and yellow pollen grains individually visible as distinct spheres on the hairs, the entire dorsal surface dusted with a light coating of loose pollen from flower contact. A photograph of considerable scientific documentation value and natural beauty that has been used in pollinator biology education and bee conservation communications.
